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I think you have to rely on a balanced approach.  You have organizational goals and visions.  They have to mesh with the individuals you have.
Like Sandy, I'm not convinced you have to make a splash with a trade, I'm only convinced that the guys in the trenches absolutely must be convinced that the entire org is focused on the same goal.
Removing the "veteran entitlement" program that has existed for so long may have gone a long way toward accomplishing that. 
If I'm GM, I'm looking at a couple of difficult decisions - neither of which involves "quitting" on the season.  Priority #1 for me is an extension for Erik Bedard.  If I cannot extend him, I would explore the option to trade him - not to give up, but to make sure have all the reasonable options in front of you.
I think you go to Bedard, tell him he's an integral part of this upcoming window, and get him on board.
If I have to trade him, I strongly consider it.  (And this is coming from one of a half-dozen people on the planet who has strongly defended the trade for Bedard since Day One and never wavered).  But I would look for very high value for him.  It's not going to be easy to pry him from me.
This is going to be one of the toughest months so far since Z has taken the helm.  Here is where he'll earn his salary.