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?

Page 33

Its a good dea; when a player doesn't want to play because one hurts thier feeling its best to say good by When I first starting going to see the soxs play when Joe Cronin was mananger thoses players were the best no gloves they just played baseball hurt or not hurt Good luck to the soxs can't wait to go to St Pete Fl and see them play in Sept just before they make the playoff Thanks go soxs

Eilee, Olando Fl.

I understand the need to upgrade the team's defense as they have played very poorly all year long and I can even accept dealing Nomar as difficult as that is, but the Sox did not get anywhere near equal value for a player of Nomar's caliber. And the slap in the face here is that the sox had to give up a good prospect in Matt Murton and money! You've got to be kidding me! A prospect and cash or Nomar should have been enough to land these guys. What did everyone else give up? prospects? spare parts? unbeleivable! This is a sad day. Go Cubbies!

Adam, Framingham

bad deal, ruth,clemens,vaughn,garciaparra,no wonder we haven t won a world series since 1918.

joe , kingston

This was a smart, pragmatic deal by Theo. Nomar was not going to re-sign, and we now have a very strong defensive infield that makes our pitching better. However, we have too many 1st basemen and infielders and are a quality pitcher short. I think Manny has optimal value at the moment and would like to see Beltram and a pitcher here on a deal for Manny plus Millar or others. Matt M

Matt M., Cape Elizabeth, ME

Don't hate me, but since I just took a new job in Chicago, my family - die hard Sox fans - can't help but be a little excited that Nomah will be moving here, too!

Ami, Malden,MA

For years we've been hearing pitching wins and offense is more important than defense. So now the rhetoric has turned to defense to support the latest move. Theo, we aren't buying it. How does adding a 4th first baseman and a SS who has never approached Nomar's offensive stats do anything? Does this move mean the front office has given up on the 2004 season? The Sox nickle and dime players, while the fans pay ever higher prices for a product that is starting to show the effects of the cheapskate mentality. Maybe the Duke wasn't so bad after all.

J A, Quincy

I understand the need to upgrade the team's defense as they have played very poorly all year long and I can even accept dealing Nomar as difficult as that is, but the Sox did not get anywhere near equal value for a player of Nomar's caliber. And the slap in the face here is that the sox had to give up a good prospect in Matt Murton and money! You've got to be kidding me! A prospect and cash or Nomar should have been enough to land these guys. What did everyone else give up? prospects? spare parts? unbeleivable! This is a sad day. Go Cubbies!

Adam, Framingham

had to get rid of nomar, but shoulda got pitching!

Tim, Southlake TX

This is the worst trade in Red Sox history: worse than Sparky Lyle for Danny Cater, worse than Jeff Bagwell for Larry Andersen. Shame, shame on the Red Sox ownership and management.

Bernard, Manchester, NH

After reading a lot of fans reaction on the message board I am surprised at how stupid most of our faithful fans are. Nomar was not going to resign with the Sox. He wanted More money then the Sox had. Did you people not get this. He was out anyway, at least the Sox got something in return. In they got two solid players. They got a better defensive shortstop then Nomar and Cabrera has the potential to hit well. Last year his on base % was higher then Nomars. And the thing that bother me most about yes our very own Red Sox fans is how they (me included, but not this time) always seem like the sky is falling. The Red sox were not going to win with this team. They could not do the little things and that is why they have lost so many games. These tow additions are people that can. Stop crying BoSox fans. I think Theo did a fine job. Nomar was a player I never will forget, but he showed very little interest in the future of this team.

Patrick, Berlin, Ct