Johnny Bench and Vida Blue each invoked their no-trade clause at the deadline and became impossible to move.
The two will be most likely moving now, each opting out of the final year of their contract to test free agency.
Even more painful, so too, is Nolan Ryan, a lifetime personal favorite who we will try to keep as best we can.
As for Bench and Blue, both were invaluable lynchpins in our dynasty and they can go find contenders that can squeeze out the remain talent. Blue won the '76 Cy Young and was a member of six World Series winners.
Bench is arguably the most decorated player in franchise history. Few dared to challenge his arm and he was a savage in the post season, yet throughout his time in New York, he was rarely happy or warmly received in the clubhouse. I had no choice but to keep him and suffer the occasional issues for the good of the team's performance.
The voids they leave are vast but, hopefully, their exits will ease some financila strains.