RealGM

As the trade deadline approaches, and we have questions about whether we're buying/selling, and maybe itching to see what our GM can get with the pieces at his disposal...it seems our chips aren't quite what we thought they were.

Not only is Bedard's shoulder a question mark while Chavez is out for the year, apparently Beltre needs shoulder surgery again. Sure, he may be able to play through the pain, but any team looking to add him knows what's going on and will have concerns about what they would give up to acquire a player whose season could either end early or be severealy compromised.

Did we wait too long? Were we waiting to trying and maximize trade value for potentially volatile trade chips, or waiting to see if the team could claw its way back into the AL West race? Do we now have any choice but to grit our teeth and see were our current roster can get us since trading Beltre/Bedard now seems unlikely to yield much?

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I never thought there was much of a market for Beltre. As for him being hurt it seems like he's been hurt for awhile. Bedard is a softie and if we could have traded him a few weeks back and didnt then management isnt as bright as i think they are.

As for bargaining chips there might be some interest in guys like Branyon and Lopez, hopefully Yuni also. I also would be curious if once high draft picks like Morrow and Clement have any value that we could get in return, as both seem to be out of favor with the parent club.

I'd be fine with moving the chips you mention for the right deal, but it's unfortunate that three chips we have that have worth [when healthy] and will net us nothing due to the impending free agency status are, essentially, worthless now.

Branyan seems like the only piece we have that falls into the "trade now or get nothing" category, but question whether this team could still compete without him and whether he might actually qualify for Type A free agency? If his numbers push him into Type A territory I don't think you trade him.