Editor's note: Here is our original coverage of the trade that sent J.D. Drew and Eli Marrero to the Braves for pitchers Jason Marquis, Adam Wainwright and Ray King on Dec. 13, 2003. Columnist Bernie Miklasz hoped that Adam Wainwright would flourish once Dave Duncan and Tony La Russa were gone.

THE CARDINALS WERE about to draft J.D. Drew. Before handing Drew a super-sized signing bonus, team chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. called team scout Fred McAllister for a final report.

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Drew could never live up to his advance billing in St. Louis. He was a good hitter with a low tolerance for pain.