The Padres got better today. By giving up next to nothing, they acquired a solid player and clubhouse guy who will handle thirdbase decently. Unfortunately, the Dodgers bettered themselves to a much higher extent; one high enough to now certainly make them the team to beat in the NL West. On paper, I am damn frightened of the Dodgers; with Drew, Nomar, Kent, Lugo, Betemit... they have a damn near all star lineup when healthy, and their rotation ain't bad either with Penny, Lowe, and now Maddux who could benefit from a change of scene.
All in all, I'm disapointed. Towers claims that the Braves wanted Linebrink for Betemit straight up, and we balked. Betemit is a very solid player at a key position, a guy who will hover in the high 800's OPS wise for a long while, I'd believe.
My stomach hurts over the whole matter, honestly. But, to say the very least, getting Walker for free sure as hell beats trading anything for Lowell.