Ackley's good second half last year and his recent hot streak heading into this year's trade deadline has to create some hard choices and a major decision for Zduriencik over the next two days. In the first place, they might be taken as indicators that Ackley is about to break through and realize some of his outstanding potential. On the other hand, the first half of each of the last two seasons combined with his 2012 season can't help but give anyone pause as to whether these are just hot streaks and inevitably going forward we will continue to see "bad" Dustin Ackley for large stretches at the time.
But these factors cut both ways. "Bad" Ackley has seriously reduced "good" Ackley's value to the M's AND to his trade value. Jack doesn't know for sure what Ackley we will see going forward, nor do the other GM's. Jack staked a great deal of his future on Ackley as his first premium draft pick. So far it has not paid off, and Jack has to decide whether to fish (keep Ackley) or cut bait (trade Ackley).
If we are going to see "good" Ackley going forward, it would be a huge blow for Jack to see that happen elsewhere. If we are going to see the "bad" boy for significant stretches, this recent hot streak is a golden opportunity to get some value out of him, especially if you can find a GM who thinks Ackley is about to blossom.
Tough choices. The GM job is full of such tough choices.