If this continues through the upcoming road trip, and we play .500 ball against the Twins, Blue Jays, Red Sox and Orioles, then I consider taking Beltran off the table. If we still have a .500 record by the all-star break (after a BRUTAL month of June), then I definitely consider trying to keep him.
But we still need to be realistic here, and do what's best for the team long term. Is keeping Beltran now and getting nothing for him when he leaves after 2004 more important than trading him away when he still has maximum value?
Plus, we're winning despite the fact that he missed two weeks and has made virtually no impact whatseover since returning.
As for Randa, well, he's playing well now, but we'd still better do whatever we can to secure the future at 3rd base. Maybe that's Jarrod Patterson, maybe not. He's not exactly a youngster himself.
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