QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 17, 2011 -> 02:25 PM)
It's ironic because I always considered Thornton a great trade chip if they went into a rebuilding period.
Now his value as a set-up man at for $5.5 million is pretty much just a salary dump unless he turns it around somehow....even then, only 5-7 teams, at best, would be able to afford that luxury.
You have to hold on to Ramirez, Beckham, Santos and Sale...and many would argue now's the time to trade Alexei if you rebuild.
I still think that new contract's favorable enough that you could go into rebuilding with the middle infield set for the next half decade. That's a good starting point.
I would say goodbye to MB, CQ and AJ. Sign Danks longterm and IF EJ will not sign trade him to highest bidder at trade deadline and make them eat a contract like Teahan as part of the deal.