The Sox have shipped Nomar to the Cubs in a four-team deal and ended up with shortshop Orlando Cabrera and first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. Are the Sox better off?

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It's going to take me a long time to get over this trade. If for no other reason, I loved Nomar for the way he played the game. On the field, you could want nothing else: a solid work ethic and just an undying love to play the game. Off the field, well, what pro athlete these days doesn't whine? The Red Sox made a mistake today, and it will be a shame to be watching the Cubs and Nomar play in late October while Wake and Lowe work on their golf swing.

John, Hanover

Pitching was the major need. This only served to get something for an unhappy player that they had no intention to try and resign. I which Nomar well in Chi Town.

Roger, Inverness, Fl.

This trade is second only to the Bambino Trade. It has all the makings of another curse to the BoSox. Nomar was a real asset to the team & the Boston area. Chicago is the winner in this deal, hands down.

Jim, Allentown, PA

As sad as it is to see Nomar go... the Sox are better off. Their overall defense will prevent as many runs as Nomar provided. The other thing they did is they probably made Derek Lowe better, just by upgrading the defense behind him. If this can help Lowe turn around, it would be like trading for a better pitcher, without actually making a move.

John, N.Attleboro

I don't like this trade at all. I understand the Sox probably thought they needed to move Nomar lest he walk away a free agent and leave them nothing in return, but I don't see how this works our favorably for Boston. It reminds me of the Antoine Walker deal - forced and resulting in the loss of a star for lesser talents. Not only that, if Mientkiewicz is our first baseman and Ortiz is DHing, where does Millar play? Not right field (Kapler is playing great, Trot is hopefully coming back and Millar is a poor fielder) - but with Nomar's bat gone we need Millar in the batting order. That's without even mentioning McCarty (or Daubach, who's tearing up AAA pitching right now). Plus this means that Bellhorn is our full-time second baseman (Reese is clearly the shortstop here now), and I'm just not a huge fan; Bellhorn leads the league in strikeouts and his defense is suspect to say the least. Worst of all - I love NOMAH and will miss him greatly; this feels like when Mo and Clemens left all over again...but Nomah won't turn into a villian like Clemens did...SO...someone explain to me the logic of this??

Steve , Waltham

It hasn't been a good situation for Nomah since the no-rod fiasco last winter. He was going to leave after the season, so why not (1) trade him for two gold-glovers in Cabrera and Mientkiewicz; and (2) he gets to go and play on a contender in the NL Central. I think these two will surprise some people...after getting over the loss of Nomah. It is hard to see him go and his bat, but he was not happy in beantown and was struggling in the field.

Matteo, Park City, UT

Nomar has for the past several years been the single most overrated player in the league. He has become a complete defensive liability and his lack of plate discipline has become a problem. Plus, there was no chance of his signing so this is a great move.

Michael, Brookline

OC and DM both have struggled at the plate this year. Hopefully a change of venue will allow them to improve. Defensively, they are an upgrade. When is the last time the Red Sox had a real first baseman and not just a platoon player? Nomar lost all of our respect when he turned down 4yrs at 60M. A big bat is lost along with a respectable individual. I expected that we would go after another starter but Bronson is doing well and if Lowe comes out of his funk for a significant amount of time then we'll be fine.

Robert, Chicago Illinois

“HOPE IS ON THE WAY” so said the D.N.C. they knew something Theo didn’t ?? W O W ! Great trades ! Theo, you have earned your $. Now is it too late to trade Francona ?? The SOX needed SPEED–we got more. The SOX needed batters hitting balls into play with men on base–they got it. The SOX needed a batter who wouldn’t make a long OUT on the 1st pitch-I won’t win any more bets on NOMAR not swinging-but that’s ok with my wife Karen & me. NOMAR-God Bless you & we wish you the best-but, we want MORE for our SOX–WE GOT IT. Now either teach Terry to grease & use the hook on pitchers w/ no “stuff” or get the hook out yourself & get us a manager so we’ll all hear: “SOX WIN, SOX WIN.” THANKS & GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS

DON , HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA

Trading Nomar was a good move, but the Red Sox desparately need pitching. Pokey Reese can play shortstop, we don't need another one. It was a waste of a good trade opportunity.

Greg, Newton