[horseofcourse]

I think they were banking on contending this year thus they didn't trade him. They felt if they were out of it, they could deal him in July. I can't argue with them not trading the Cy Young winner and consistent 12-18 game winner over his career when they were 1 game from the World Series last year. They rolled the dice. Lee or Sowers were no guarantee starting the year either. Byrd is tough to gauge as well. We all know he is gone after this year, but I can't argue with the decision to go with him starting the year.