But what's the alternative? You really think mystery injury/OPSing like .300 in the last month KB is going to bring back some future difference maker for a couple months of games? What contender is looking for a shortstop hitting league average and on pace for a career high in errors? These are unique players in that they have a track record of high performance, enough to garner a somewhat substantial contract (and a comp pick) who don't have a whole lot of trade value when getting acquired just for the next 3 months. You do a fire sale in the next month, you forfeit whatever chance you have left this year, and you set the table for Ricketts to roll out some big rebuild until the 15 year olds from the Darvish trade hit puberty. That's....better than taking a shot, even a long shot, at backing into a coin flip playoff? If these guys all actually suck, we're going to suck next year regardless. Tossing away the rest of this season for a few prospects that can maybe crack our top 20 is even dumber. Look, I'm Mr. Doom Boner: I think the Cubs have thoroughly fucked themselves to the point that there's no real good option for them right now.