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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I WAS a Red Sox fan. No more!!! How can you respect an organization that treats someone who has done as much for the team and city of Boston as Nomar has done. Nomar wasn't just a ball player like so many others on the team. He became part of the community. I can only hope if Nomar reads this he will know that we will ALWAYS love and respect him and thank him for all the good times and joy he has brought into our lives. GO CUBS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Terry, Dandridge, TN

For all those people who said "I'm not going to anymore games" or "I'm not going to watch the Sox", your full of it. They've gotten rid of a player, although he was great, wanted out, and obviously didn't want to stay, given he turned down a couple of great contract extensions (wanted Jeter money, but he is no Jeter. He's not even a Tejeda). Mientkiewicz is another Millar, but better defensively. Cabrera will be fantastic. Ortiz will bring them all together, and play Nomar and the Cubs in the World Series.

Ted, Germantown, MD

They needed starting pitching, but instead gave up an All-Star for two guys hitting under .250. Are they better off? Pokey Reese was hitting over .250 when he was in the lineup every day, and Mientkiewicz isn't that much of an upgrade over Millar at first. They didn't fill their biggest need.

Zables, Los Angeles

Defensively the Sox are improved. Offensively the Sox are weakened. So it depends on which of those categories you value more. Nomar trade is a result of two factors: Leaking of A-Rod trade hurt Nomar, Nomar failed to move on from it. I hate to see him go.

Grille, Hoboken

Nomar is through. He's on the downside of his career. He's not worth the headache, the negativity in the clubhouse, or the huge contract he's currently paid, and wants again in the offseason. I'd rather get Mientkiewicz and Cabrera now, than nothing in the offseason for this guy. As for Mientkiewicz, he's a guy that batted .300 last year and plays a stellar first base. Now that he's away from his strained relationship with Coach Gardenhire, he can get that average up again. Cabrera hit over .290 last year with 17 hrs. Once away from the horrible situation in Montreal and surrounded by better players, his numbers will only get better. Not to mention he plays a Gold Glove SS. Good move Theo. Bring that championship to Boston.

Chris, Hoboken,NJ

Despite what people might want to say, Nomar is the heart and soul of the Red Sox. I am 22 and have basically grown up watching Nomar become the superstar we all know him to be. I don't like the direction this trade drives the franchise. A championship without Nomar isn't right. By replacing our stars and heros with cheaper replacements to save a buck in order to build a "dream team" doesn't feel like the Red Sox. To win it all this year wouldn't feel right, it wouldn't feel like the Red Sox, Nomar's Red Sox, my Red Sox, had won.

Ryan, North Attleboro, MA

We traded our star offensive and defensive shortstop because he most likely will be gone after the season for a shortstop who will be gone after the season and a defensive player first baseman. This defensive shift in ideology will be costly as we could concievably have 44 percent of our lineup batting under 250(roberts, mienkivitz, reese, cabrera). We already have a defensive first baseman in McCarty. All theo had to do was tell Tito to sit millars fat but on the bench and play mcCarty, he didn't have to trade who Ted Williams called "the greatest Red Sock of all time. I wanted to see nomar win a world series here but I guess I will have to settle for seeing him win one in Chicago.

David, Salem

Add Nomar to the list of Roger, Mo, etc. This deal stinks. As we continue to pay the highest ticket prices (when we can get tickets), we lose the heart and soul of this team. This guy should have been a career Red Sox. What kind of spin will we put on losing Pedro and Tek this winter to free-agency?

Jeff, Southington

It's a shame to let Nomar go. There are so many players who dont want to be in Boston. To let go an All Star who wants to be here? What could Theo be thinking? Maybe it's time we trade GMs. Can't wait for football to start.

Colin, Avon CT

considering the red sox werent gonna sign nomar after the season this was a solid trade they fixed their biggest flaws on defense at first base, and i think theo epsteins comment about with pokey comin back this might be the best infield in the game isnt so farfetched and cabrera is a far better hitter than his numbers show this season, though the red sox lost nomars bat, i think with our lineup we can afford to lose some offense for a lot of defense

gary , bergenfeild