When did the Lerners take control? I thought it was after the 2006 season started? I'm not sure you can blame them for not re-signing Loaiza. I don't know what went into the decision to trade Wilkerson, Sledge, and I think Galarraga for Soriano, but I would not call the move a cost-cutter or even that bad a call in terms of talent judgment. 2005 was a half a year of luck. Especially after Patterson got hurt, we weren't going anywhere off of the talent we had left over from 2005. You can even argue they may have been too timid in breaking up that team and should have moved more guys.
