Worse still Bolton have taken highly promising Danny Guthrie on a season's loan dashing the hopes of George Burley who had hoped to lure him to the Championship for a second season on loan at least.
So much depends on the club getting investment or we will be reduced to further sales and the classic Championship diet of journeymen and frees to try and plug the growing holes in our squad.
So what's required?
If Baird goes, we will need at the least one full back, even if Burley does push Rudi Skacel back to full back and Chris Makin can stay fit enough to provide back-up to Alexander Ostlund.
There is of course a big hole in central defence, with Claus on his last legs, Cranie nearly gone and Powell's fitness uncertain. Take Baird out of the equation and Saints could be left with one centre back for much of the season, particularly if Pele plays in midfield. Saints need a classic 'Darren Moore' style no nonsense defender to sort out our porous defence, especially away from home.
In midfield the absence of Guthrie leaves Burley short of creativity and drive in central midfield as a foil to Viafara's all action style or Wright's anchorman role. On the flanks Surman's huge progress last season ties up one of the slots, but with Skacel inconsistent and possibly at left back we need a replacement for Belmadi.
Licka has shown patches of form and Lallana plenty of potential, but we need more of a goal threat from the flanks and those kind of players are very hard to come by at Championship level, particularly on a tight budget.
At least up front things things are looking rosy with plenty of competition for places and plenty of goals. Even if Best does leave, Saints have experience in Rasiak and Jones and potential in Wright-Phillips and McGoldrick, all of which would be completed perfectly if Saints can find the cash to take up their option over Saganowski with the fee agreed.
With cash behind the club, Saints can fill these holes and more with a £5m investment to genuinely challenge for the title. Without it, it's going to be a long season and Burley will have his work cut out for another top 6 finish.