If a trade would fill a couple of holes and the bats come alive that wouldn't be an admission of not looking to make the playoffs. That'd be more like what people have been asking for since 2000. A trade to push the team over the top. Wouldn't it?
Unless we eat most or all of Colon's salary, we aren't going to get the level of prospects in return to fill the holes you speak of immediately.
Though I've not really looked around, I'd have to disagree off the cuff. I think a number of teams in the hunt would be more than willing to overpay for Colon, if we can be smart enough to hold them up for more. Anyone can sell the argument that Colon's record and disposition are the result of his teammates not hitting, heck, that argument is made right here. And his 'rep' would make most G.M.s drool.
This is the stuff Billy Beane always does. Make a trade that most people think is insane at the time and wind up getting the better of it.