This was my point last year when I said we didn't need him. Bad start aside, I think an average Beltre still does more harm than good to this team.
Funny how Lowell can still hit and make most of the plays even though many have him all but in a wheelchair. Between Youk, Lowell, Tek, and Vmart, we already had 1B, 3B, C (and DH) covered. Without Beltre, I'm betting Papi would have been sat a bit because Tito would know he'd be back in a game or two regardless of how his replacement played. Much tougher to sit him now with the logjam. Should his replacement now produce, Tito would has no excuse not to sit Papi.
I'm still convinced this front office makes more moves than they need to and ultimately disrupt the team's rhythm and flow unnecessarily.