The timing, current standing of your trading partner and other factors have to be just right. If a pitcher throws a shutout the day you try to acquire him, the price will go up. Timing is everything. It doesn't matter how poorly a player starts out, the future is limitless. The best feeling, of course, is winning your league.
Some acquisitions work out, others have painful results.
So far this season I have acquired Mike Lieberthal, Al Leiter and Greg Maddux. Jose Ortiz, Richie Sexson, Paxon Crawford, Hideo Nomo, Jeromy Burnitz, Russ Ortiz and Roberto Alomar. Lieberthal, now out for the season, was painful. Leiter and Maddux are pure joy. Timing is everything.