As I mentioned the other day, 16 teams made moves before the trade deadline to improve their chances in 2000. Of course, that means 14 others didn’t, 14 teams that haven’t had much success this season. Still, amidst the wreckage of a 65-97 campaign can often be found the pieces of next year’s playoff contender….
When Jim Bowden announced the Barry Larkin signing, he managed to darken the mood slightly by admonishing the fans that they were getting exactly what they wanted…and that they’d have to pay for it. He told fans that ticket prices would be going up, perhaps as early as this season, because of the deal. In…