Agree with the first paragraph, then you lost me. I don't believe for a minute that fan reaction would play any role in Stearns decision to trade him, or Mark A preventing him from doing so. They just traded Lucroy, and in the recent past they have moved Gomez, two guys the fans really loved. Not to mention letting Fielder walk, traded Yo, traded Hardy, moved on from Weeks/Hart. I think even casual fans "get" what they're trying to do in general, if not every specific move. And even if they didn't there's just no way that would prevent a trade. Based on everything I've read and heard, seems very simple. Stearns is asking for more than the Dodgers (or anyone else)are willing to give- at least for now. If you were making a trade mostly to save money backlash does matter. Braun is different from all those players. I'd imagine attendance would see a significant drop among other things. If you are trying to save money attendance dropping by the thousands would negate a lot of the gain. If the return is already questionable concerns over fan reaction can play a role in how badly they would want to trade him.