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 have been reading the responses of other fans and I share their sentiments completely. We will always have a spot in our hearts for Nomah. He defined the team for so long, and reflected back our love with an obvious and infectious joy for the game. I will never forget Ted Williams calling for Nomar at the All-Star game in Fenway. One Sox legend giving the nod to another. I will miss just hearing his name yelled out at the park. If you focus on this aspect, the deal is a terrible blow and a travesty in the eyes of the loyal fans. However, there is another side that you can CHOOSE to focus on. Nomar turned down a generous offer just last winter, the likes of which he will never see again (not even if the Yankees come calling next year). You have to believe Theo knew that Nomar would not re-sign with the Sox. Nomar was visibly unhappy and not on the same page as his teammates. Given these realities, the only wise thing to do was deal him. Emotionally, this hurts. But objectively, not making it would have been a terrible move that would have been second-guessed for years. Could the Sox have gotten better players? Perhaps. Did they get some real defensive help and upgrade their team speed? Absolutely. Even though Nomar's bat will be missed, we still have a potent offense. All in all, if Lowe can pick it up over the second half, we should have an extremely well balanced and formidable squad. That's as much of a gamble as holding on to Nomar or dealing Lowe. So choose which side you want to focus on; the emotional aspect of this deal or the objective realities surrounding it. I don't blame you whichever side you take. I have taken enough pain as a result of my loyalty to this team, so I am going to wish Nomar the best and be content that this move was inevitable and a good one for the team. Of course if we face the Cubs in the World Series, I can tell you how that ending will play out…

McBubbs, New York

Epstein has been a complete disaster, from the bungled and public negotiations last winter to this idiotic swap of Nomar-for-nothing. I hope the Sox sink like a rock. It will clear the boards--above all, by sending Theo (age and IQ 28) back, I repeat, back into oblivion.

greg, belmont

RIDICULOUS! The Sox just added to the "Curse of the Babe". Now we have the "Curse of Nomar"! Double curses! AND on top of that, they didn't add to their pitching staff which they need desparately!

Louise, Plymouth, MA

I understand attempting to get something for Nomar before he walks at year end but the Sox may have sabotaged any chances of winning this year. Yes, we improve defensively but Cabrera is another Pokey Reese (why trade for him) and Doug Mientkiewicz is a marginal player. Those 2 players do not a Nomar make, regardless if you love or loathe him.

Bill, Boston

This trade assures one thing: should the Sox make the Series, they will play the Cubs and lose. Nomar should have only been moved for a proven pitcher. If you lose him at the end of the season, that's the way it goes. The acquisition of Dave Roberts was a good move; adds speed and a defensive upgrade in OF and only had to give up a minor leaguer.

Adam, Norwood

I have had 3 calls from friends of mine who are Yankee fans who can't stop laughing. Doug who and Angel who for Nomar(don't need the last name since everyone in the US knows who a future Hall of Famer is). Someone should tell Theo(I mean Larry) that we are trying to win THIS year. How many people can you have play at first base?Management has only themselves to blame since they couldn't close the ARod deal. Go look in the mirror.

Tom, Winchester

I can't believe what I'm reading on the board. This deal was signed sealed and delivered the day Nomar took himself out against the Yankees. Please stop with all of the "he's a perennial all star" stuff. You're all missing one very important fact. NOMAR DIDN'T WANT TO BE HERE ANYMORE!!!!!! Get over your denial. I'll take blood, guts and heart over a temperamental isolationist. Remember this is a TEAM sport. I thank him for his many years of service, but his relationship with the Sox was irreparably damaged. It was time for him to go.

Adam H, Weston, FL

sad yes. but a good move in the big picture. You need to look at this as a situation where you get nomar not at 100% for about 2/3 of the games left and horrible infield defense vs. a major offensive downgrade at SS but also literally having perhaps the best infield defense in the AL. I buy the argument that the new infield will ultimately put the Sox in a position to win playoff games. And we all know how much it hurts when you lose playoff games because of late inning defensive problems. Thanks nomar, but its a business, you wanted too much $, and the sox did what they had to do.

j, boston

I dont think I've ever seen a more masochistic ball club in my life. I think it's rubbing off on the fans.. I think a part of the Red Sox mystique is being miserable.. God forbid the Sox ever win a Championship, I'm not sure we would know how to act or what to do anymore.

KATY, Katy

Red Sox management just cut out the heart of the franchise. The trade is awful. What's apparent is that Nomar and the Sox couldn't agree on a new contract. So the Sox made the best deal they could for a two-month rent-a-player struggling to come back from an injury. Short-sighted on both sides. Where will Nomar turn up in 2005? Anaheim? Los Angeles? San Diego?

Dave, East Granby, CT