It seemed doubtful the Yankees would give up three young players to rent Gonzalez for the last three months of the season.

Do the Yankees want the 30-year-old Gonzalez desperately enough to give up three players without guarantees that they will have him beyond the 2000 season?

That status, of course, is what creates the risk for the Mets in giving up two good young players to acquire him.

Pence has 2 years left on his contact and came pretty cheap because they only gave up Cossart, Singleton and two other players.

In the deal with the Cubs, the Rangers gave up four players and two minor leaguers to be named.

Anytime a team gives up three players for one, especially if the one has a sullied reputation, it is a gamble.

"I think people would rather have no money than give up three players for $3 million."

You would have some predictability of how he would perform, and you might take on more money and give up more players.

We gave up three players who weren't going to fit with us for a guy who hit 50 home runs last year.

You made three trades and gave up six players to get his rights.