Here is what I sent him in reply.

"Mr. Covill,

I read your analysis of Ed Wade and had to correct a few things. Generally, I agree with your assessment of his moves at the big league level. He tends to overpay for relief pitching and often gets had in trades. However, your statement about him "never building a farm system" in Philadelphia was very curious. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Pat Burrell, and Cole Hamels all fell off their collective couches when hearing that. They were Wade draft picks. If Howard wins the NL MVP this year it will be three consecutive victories by a Wade draftee. Let's not mention the fact that Chase Utley will likely join him in the top five.

As a fan of sabermetrics, I was initially saddened to see Houston pass up the opportunity for someone that uses advanced metrics in their analysis of players, but given Drayton McLane's mandate on being competitive, it was understandable. Wade's moves have likely bought them a couple of seasons of respectability while he rebuilds the moribund farm system through the draft.

I certainly was not privy to his firing in Philadelphia, but I would surmise that it had more to do with foolish free agent signings like Jim Thome than anything to do with the farm system. Pat Gillick has coasted on Wade's young players. He has certainly done a better job of surrounding them with good veterans.

Thank you,

Scott Barzilla
(author of Checks and Imbalances and the State of Baseball Management)"

I am a senior writer at thefantasyfix.com and a staff writer at bigleaguesmag.com. The Hall of Fame Index is also still for sale and as relevant as ever.