JRS - I understand what you are saying and there is clearly no right or wrong answer to this point. You may well be right and probably are!
I don't know to what extent the position with Baird had gone beyond the point of no return.
My argument is that a very high percentage of footballers sit on a subs bench and become disillusioned if they are not first pick. This situation has to be managed - it is arguably the hardest part of a Manager's job. Fowler and the Board have clearly decided that retaining Baird is not worth the hassle and as you say makes a decent wage available for someone else to come in.
The other possible solution is to say to Baird that we understand your frustration but we rate you highly and fully expect you to play a big part in the second half of the season. After the mandatory "huff" he will have little option but to bounce back especially after the winter window closes.
I remember Stephen Dobbie getting dogs abuse from the Queens fans in an away fixture at F