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.And although anyone with half a brain could see Zito's pronounced decline, Beane still looks like a genius for that one. That was one of the best non-signings in recent memory.