After all, the biggest decisions made since June 18 to feed the long-term vision also happen to be the main reasons the Orioles are succeeding short term.
Trembley is largely responsible for making everybody play and act more professionally, but the original idea was for him to instill the concept in the youngsters.
Meanwhile, Tejada and Bedard were productive and had names and games that would put people in the seats - but they were more valuable as commodities. Trading them was a tough call, and the payoff wouldn't be apparent soon. Except that it has come soon, only to raise the possibility that the players here now won't be packaged up the same way.
Perish the thought.
When the day comes that Brian Roberts is traded, it's going to hurt, way more than it did with Tejada and Bedard, for a variety of reasons. The same reasons Kevin Millar is drawing interest from contenders such as, reportedly, the New York Mets, are the same ones that make him valuable here now. All told, yesterday's lineup against the Red Sox included four players (Roberts, Millar, Aubrey Huff and Jay Payton) who are simultaneously big reasons for the current resurgence and fodder for a move that could bring another Adam Jones, Luke Scott or George Sherrill.
Not as prominent but belonging to that group is Ramon Hernandez. In a group of his own - acquired in a big trade while also bait in a future trade - is Sherrill.
They've all helped make the locals authentically proud to claim the Orioles.
They'll all be remembered warmly when they get sent on their way, sacrifices to a future in which "Baltimore" will proudly adorn the road jerseys, in which Red Sox fans are back to being more plentiful in Fenway Park than in Camden Yards.
The present is kind of nice. The future can be glorious. Let's hope that when the time comes, regardless of the standings, MacPhail keeps that in mind.
david.steele@baltsun.com
Listen to David Steele on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. on WNST (1570 AM).
