After looking at the Poti post, I have a question that I didn't want to take up space in the comments section. It may seem a little naive, but I'm curious...

Why do people judge a player on his past with other teams (or even start of season vs. end of season)?  I understand that it gives people an idea of capabilities (positive or negative), but shouldn't a player be judged/questioned or commended for his present performance? 

A perfect example of this is Jose Theodore. He wasn't doing so well at the start of the season, and midway through, he was great! People still knocked him even though his production improved immensely. It's almost like they wouldn't "forgive him" for his mistakes.

To me, it's like judging my writing/editing abilities based on 16-year-old Kate over 25-year-old Kate. Nobody would hire or fire me for who I was then--they look at me for my current abilities.

Another question that sort of relates: What does it take for a guy to be "forgiven?"