Why are TC and Byrnes still playing?

Both are in a season-long slump.  AND it's June and we are massively in last place, which means it's time to throw in the towel on this season & get started on 2010.  So why are these two hacks still getting starts?

Here's my opinion:  they are being given the chance to perform over the next few weeks to increase their trade value.  If either CAN be traded, they will be.  Clark is making $750K or so, which isn't a huge contract to eat (I only say that because it's not my money being spent).  Byrnes and his bat-5h1t crazy $10 mil contract, on the other hand, is a difficult one to swallow.  To make things worse, Byrnes is such an obscene disappointment I'm not sure he can be traded. 

So...what's next?  I foresee a handful of scenarios for both (hopefully) soon-to-be-former DBacks.

Clark Exit Scenarios

1) He might be valuable as a pinch hitter for a playoff contender.  He's a low-risk trade and probably won't fetch a lot in return, but anything is better than just cutting him.  In this scenario, I'd like to see us pick up a promising young middle reliever.

2) The team buys out his contract and offers him a coaching job in Mobile or South Bend.

Prediction:  #1 would be great, #2 is likely.

Byrnes Exit Scenarios

1) The team buys out his contract and cuts his swing-at-the-first-pitch-and-pop-out-or-hit-a-weak-grounder-off-the-end-of-the-bat-then-later-bobbles-the-ball-over-the-fence ass from the team immediately.

2) He is part of a package deal with another player(s).  "Hey Cubs -- you want Lopez and Qualls?  You gotta take Byrnes AND his contract too."

3) He gets his act together and bats .350 over the next 4 weeks, and gets traded with cash for a prospect.

Prediction:  PAIN, and #1. 

Every time The Eric Byrnes Show appears on my channel guide I shake my head in disgust.  I don't want to see him on the field either.  But we are stuck with him until an exit strategy materializes.