And the fact that the trade did not go through and that he did not get a similar offer from another team is proof that Livan does not command a very high price. You can ask for anything. It doesn't mean that you will get it. It's called negotiating. As his team falls further out of the race and Livan's ERA remains around 5, his price will come down. Your argument would be much more persuasive if the Nat's were turning down offers of Ellsbury and Bowden. Asking for them means nothing.