The group does not include much top-flight talent, but that will not stop teams, the Mets among them, from scouring the list for players who can fill holes.

Cutbacks by American firms have helped bring down the price of top-flight talent, Mr. Strenger said.

A recent tour of a dozen restaurants here reveals that the capital has attracted some top-flight talent whose work is finding enthusiastic acceptance.

Mayor Manny Diaz said he had encouraged the hiring of top-flight talent.

And the banks have shown that they are willing to spend what it takes to attract top-flight talent.

With top-flight legal talent showing up more frequently in arbitration chambers to plead investors' cases, awards against brokerages, often harsh ones, are becoming more common.

"We're not the only ones doing 'bridge' hiring, and that is already causing more competition for younger, top-flight talent."

So how has he built up an organization of top-flight talent around him like you and the others?

By bringing in top-flight talent across the board.

"Compensation is not the only factor in attracting and retaining top-flight academic talent," Mr. King said in a statement.