Unfortunately, I find myself in almost total agreement with your assessment.  They don't have much time to decide which way to go.  As you mentioned, they'll need to try to get something for Beltran if it looks like they're not even going to contend for a wild card spot.  You're right also about Weathers.  I, too, can understand getting rid of Hidalgo, especially in light of the $$ he's making.  (No one, despite what they might be saying now, could foresee his Babe Ruth impersonation once he got to NY.)  But Weathers looks like he's got nothing left.  I would imagine if they did deal Beltran that they would likely try to upgrade the pen.  Lidge might just flourish in the closer's role, but we'll never find out if there are no late-inning leads to protect.  I'm sure you've heard the rumors that they might even deal the Rocket, but I expect he would just go ahead and retire for good rather than move to another team.  In my mind, one of the major mysteries is Wade Miller.  I guess he hasn't been 100%, because he can be downright dominating when he's right.  The offensive woes are inexplicable as well.  When you look at the individual averages, you would never suspect that they're having so much difficulty scoring runs.  I heard Milo on the radio the other night, and he said it seemed like some of the guys were trying to do too much, sort of like trying to hit a 5-run homer.  He's right, of course.  If they could come out of the break relaxed, and then have a couple of breaks go their way, who knows, maybe they could go on a nice run and get back into the race.  The Cardinals' pitching has been almost too good to be true, and I don't think it's a stretch to imagine that they might experience a bit of a fall off there in the second half.  But the Cubs are pretty much healthy again, and with Wood back, I expect that they're going to give the Cards all they can handle.  Let's just hope our guys are somewhere in the mix too.  Ken