"TRADER RON" STRIKES AGAIN

Within minutes of the opening of the 2011 BARB pre-draft trade period, five trades had been sent to the commissioner's office. Is it any wonder that all five were from the owner who, from the moment he entered the league, had earned the nickname "Trader Ron?"

In all, eight trades were consummated in one of the busiest times of trading the Bullard Alternative Reality Baseball league has seen. A total of 20 players and seven draft picks switched hands.

It all began with two trades between Ronald Melkonian's Arizona Rattlesnakes and the Yuma Firebirds of his sibling, Chris. The centerpiece of the main deal was the longtime ace of the Firebirds, Roy Halladay. Even though Halladay was 55-37 with a 3.32 ERA and, more importantly, was instrumental in guiding the Yumans to their two World Championships, owner Chris Melkonian was OK with the loss of one of his franchise favorites.

"Roy is a fabulous pitcher; one of the game's best. He helped bring us a pair of titles. Our organization and city is forever grateful. Yet we were offered two outstanding, young, projectable arms who have already established themselves among the top 25 pitchers in the game. Given their youth, upside and salary, it was a sweet two-for-one deal."

The two youngsters, Tommy Hanson and Mat Latos, are both coming off of big years and still unestablished. Another reason Chris Melkonian mentioned for doing the deal was salary. Halladay was on the hook for nearly $16 million in 2011, and Hanson and Latos total $2.40 million. But wait, that's not all! In addition to the two righties, Yuma also acquired Arizona's first-round selection, #7 overall, in this week's draft.

After the siblings agreed to the big deal, a smaller one was made: OF Adam Jones for IF Martin Prado. Arizona adds Jones to a group of outfielders who fit almost every profile BUT his own in Ichiro, Ryan Raburn, Travis Snider and Jose Tabata. Even though Jones has spent a few years in the majors, he is still developing.

"He has been on our radar for a few years now and should develop nicely for us," said Ronald Melkonian.

Chris Melkonian, while disappointed that Jones didn't fit into his outfield situation, claimed he filled a "serious need" on his team by picking up the versatile Prado.

"Given the uncertainty of (Brian) Roberts' health and roster status, we needed an insurance policy, and boy we got a good one."

LEE, GARZA, KINSLER ALSO PACK FOR THE DESERT

Ronald Melkonian wasn't done dealing. In separate trades, he acquired Ian Kinsler, Cliff Lee and Matt Garza.

"Arizona made a series of big moves which should see the Rattlesnakes as favorites in the Central Division," Melkonian reported unabashedly.

"We are excited to have these aces carrying our staff. It is rare to have even one pitcher like that on your team, but to have two is an amazing feeling.

"This season we are pulling out all the stops and re-doing our roadmap. We want to win now and will make the moves that put us closer to our goal."

Truly in the spirit of "win now," Melkonian dealt even more of his young players. Apparently, no one was untouchable. To acquire Lee, none other than Jeremy Hellickson and Stephen Strasburg were sent to the Pottsylvania Creepers, as well as Arizona's 2nd- and 4th-round picks. Jeff Moore has already said he is planning re-build and attempt to compete in a few years, and two of the top young pitchers in the game will certainly help.

In addition, Andrew Bailey and Joel Hanrahan, as well as Arizona's 3rd-round selection int he draft, were traded to the Frostbite Falls Flying Squirrels for Garza.

"We feel we have a very young and deep rotation, but some of our relievers underperformed last year," said Frostbite Falls GM Jack Zduriencik.

"Garza was good, but we will be fine with guys like Jhoulys Chacin and Gio Gonzalez ready to step into the rotation. And the pick will only help in our efforts to build the farm system."

For Kinsler, the New England Yankee Stompers acquired RHPs Gavin Floyd and James Shields from the Rattlesnakes.

"We did this to solidify the back end of our rotation," said new Yankee Stompers GM James Herndon.

More trade news to come!