Over the last few weeks at Pinstripe Alley, we have been diving into the history of the transaction wire and breaking down the 25 Smartest Moves of the Past 25 Years. Ranging from the decision to extend a young, homegrown shortstop to a blockbuster trade that brought the best player in baseball to the Bronx, these articles have served as a reminder that building a strong roster capable of competing year in and year out happens in many different ways.
Sometimes, however, the smart move is to know when to cut bait, to recognize that it is time to move on from a player rather than picking up a team option or signing him to an extension.