Where's the $20 Million Man Now?

Season 1 the biggest free agent on the mark was Luis Picasso. The bidding was fierce but in the end Boston's GM Keosawa handed Picasso the biggest contract to date in Double Day history with a 5 year $100 million deal. The criticism around the league regarding the size and length of the contract was heard for weeks saying that towards the end of his contract he'd just be an over paid DH.

So how did Picasso respond? He helped lead Boston to the World Series primarily playing LF while hitting .321 with 21 HRs, 119 RBIs, 45 Doubles, 10 Triples, and 20 Stolen Bases. For his outstanding play Picasso was named an All-Star and won the Silver Slugger and was considered for AL MVP. Yet after his stellar season detractors were still critical of his contract as rumors surfaced that Boston would be willing to part with him.

After much haggling Picasso was on a plane bound for Montreal who seemed determined to trade for every player who had helped defeat them in their Season 1 attempt to make the World Series. Picasso hadn't even found an apartment when it was announced that he had been traded off to Colorado. Picasso remained a true professional and silently packed his bags and headed off to Colorado where he was assured by Colorado owner Ice-Rat that he was there for the remainder of his contract.

Owners around the league were still griping about the size and length of Picasso's contract saying that Colorado would only inflate Picasso's numbers. Colorado decided to split his time between LF and DH and Picasso responded to the criticism by hitting .351, 32 HRs, 104 RBIS, 31 Doubles, and 21 Stolen Bases and making the All-Star team for the second consecutive season.

Subject of possible trade rumors before season 3, nothing materialized and Colorado owner explained the situation in a brief statement, "We are always entertaining offers to make our club better but there were never any serious talks surrounding Picasso. He's here and we couldn't be happier."

Season 3 saw Picasso once again put his critics in their place by hitting .332, 20 HRs, 119 RBIs, 40 Doubles, and 28 Stolen Bases allowing Picasso to make the All-Star team for a third consecutive season and picking up a Silver Slugger for the DH position.

So what does season 4 hold in store for the $20 million man? Who knows but there seemed to be no serious interest in Picasso which is surprising when you consider the numbers he has put up and his life time stats. Picasso has a lifetime BA of .334, OBP of .443, SLG of .557, and OPS of 1.000.

Any team contemplating a serious run at the WS would be fools for not considering a trade for Picasso. Yes, his contract is $20 mil, but after this season he only has 1 year left on his contract and odds are that Picasso can still be a factor in any championship run a team makes this season and next considering last season he played 142 games.

The question becomes, which owner has the intestinal fortitude to gamble on the man who has done nothing but produce his entire career?