The Sox would lose all the rest of their remaining fans if they traded Colon off now. Everyone would scream white flag, and that we were quitting while still in the race. Being 5 games out of a team that is way overachieving, and that people are just waiting to see when they fall apart, they would be crucified in the national media as well.
I think it would depend who the trade yields. If we got someone who could step into the rotation right now and contribute, I don't think it would be that bad. After all, Colon hasn't exactly set the world on fire this season...
IF we got 3 of the pitchers that we have talked about I would be in favor of the deal, BUT, it would be a PR nightmare if it happened.
The real fans like us would understand it though. After all, do you want Bart to bolt after the season for basically nothing when we can gain some major league ready stud arms right now?
I hope I can still be considered "a real fan" even though I disagree completely with this.
KW may be an idiot but I have to believe that he didn't get Colon so that he could deal him in the middle of pennant chase. If we don't think we can win this division and play deep into October then deal him. Real fan or not - and regardless of the players you get - it is a white flag trade. This franchise needs to worry not only about the "real fan" but the "casual fan". A casual fan will not understand this - because in a city that has not won a World Series in over 86 years - dealing the marquee player you got to try and win that elusive World Series will appear as surrender. The casual fan is what allows for bigger payrolls.
Deal Colon and the days of big walk-ups to the ticket windows are a memory.
I am just saying I'd understand the trade from a few standpoints.
1) Colon has been far from an ace this season...
2) If we can't resign him, we basically get nothing besides a draft pick...
3) If we can get STUD arms, then why the hell not?