They're only 4.5 games out. I'm not sure why people think they want to trade their best pitcher. I'm also not sure why we'd be willing to give up much of anything for a guy who has averaged 15 starts per season over the last four years. Beane was burned on the Giambi deal, and he hasn't let another player walk via FA since. If he doesn't think he can afford to resign him in the offseason, he'll be dealt, unless they're looking like strong WS contenders, and not just a borderline playoff team. Zito walked via FA. Obviously Beane hasn't gotten burned in that deal so far but he still let Zito walk. He had no intentions of tendering him as he wasn't good at the end. Not the same. Plus, he did try to get a Zito deal done for Milledge from the Mets. If I recall correctly the negotiating went to the end of the trading deadline, but Minaya decided not to make the trade. Beane could have shopped seriously elsewhere, but he may have thought that Minaya would ultimately end up parting with Milledge for Zito since the Mets were in playoff contention.