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'm still in 'mourning'.........trading Nomar is like trading the 'Yaz'........

Darrell , Wichita, Ks

I cant believe this trade. I am a Sox fan living in New York and will be moving to Chicago in September. Everyone is always asking if I will become a Cubs fan and until 4PM today my answer was no....now I am thinking twice. Why couldnt we have traded Nomar to the White Sox in exchange for Loaiza. We need pitching not another log jam in the infield.

Mike, New York, NY

Are the Sox better off?... That's a difficult question to answer the day of the trade. Time will tell. A better question would be, "was the trade a mistake or the right thing to do?" The answer is, clearly it was the right thing to do due to the fact Nomar was surely going to walk at the end of the season. The real mistake was made during the off season when management failed to keep a lid on trade talks with Texas. That was the big mistake. But, what are you going to do... The former President of the United States can't engage in a little ill advised hanky panky in the Oval Office without the media finding out. Best wishes Nomar. The fans will miss you.

Ben, Malrborough

I will be the guy with the half and half Nomar jersey on at tomorrow's Cubs game (see half Bruins, half Avs jersey for Bourque in 2001). It is sad to see him leave Boston, but we'll gladly take him here on the North Side. Sox definitely lost some bat power, but their pitchers will be better served with this infield behind them. Cubs vs. Sox in the Series. - Rich Garces, Chicago, IL

thefatcloser, Chicago, IL

Good job, Theo! E6 was going to be popping up somewhere else next year anyway. Upgraded fielding leads to upgraded pitching. On top of it the Sox now have some speed on the bases that has been sorely missing since Damian Jackson left. A++++ (grade would have been higher if Theo could have included Murphy instead of Murton)

Willie, North Attleboro, MA

Move over, Babe Ruth for No No Nanette, Jeff Bagwell for somebody named Anderson, Schilling for Bodaker, the loss of Freddie Lynn and Rick Burlson because a tender offer was not made, the Red Sox have now made the single worse trade in their hisory. Why would you trade Nomar for Pokey Reese and David McCarty look-a-likes. Do we need two all glove no bat shortstops and first basemans. Once again proving why the Red Sox have not won a World Series since 1918, the Red Sox management have thought with their wallet and not their heart (assuming they ever had hearts). This management has lied to us again and sent one of the hardest working and greatest role model in Red Sox history for a couple of guys who will only be known for this trade. As a Red Sox fan for over forty years, I am totally disgusted with this team's management. I guess they think they can use us repeatly and we will come back for more. Well, this fan is thinking of rooting for the pinstripes.

James , Reno, Nevada

I think the Red Sox gave up to much to get to little. They traded a future hall of famer for 2 players that aren't even hitting .250. His defense is underappreciated and the gap is not significant enough between Nomar and the light hitting Cabrera that this deal truely helps the Red Sox. To additionally have to include Matt Murton is further proof that this deal is not to the Red Sox advantage. Sadly this is the completion of the off season in which the Red Sox got so goggly eyed over ARod that they neglected to show one of their own the proper respect that anyone in his position deserved. For those out there who think this is another example of an overpayed athlete getting his feelings hurt because he was in trade talks I would ask you to consider the scenario where your girlfried or boyfriend have the chance to date the popular kid, and upon it not working out come back to you and say hey, that was just everyone else talking, I always wanted you first.

Tom, Walpole

Good deal for '05 and beyond. We get two players plus about $ 4 million to put toward someone else. For '04, we weren't going anywhere before, this gives a chance to add some chemistry, if not a lot of offensive production. Theo rolled the dice with little downside risk. Can't blame this trade if Sox do not win the Series in '04.

bill, eugene, oregon

Sox stupidity knows no bounds. No wonder no title since 1918. How many all-stars have been traded, allowed to walk via free agency or front-office short-comings in past 30 years? Far too many. Boy genius Theo blew this one. But it's Sox' business as usual. Nomar should stick it to Sox and retire, then market himself in winter as free agent, really stick it to Sox organization which said publicly he wasn't going anywhere. A pox on Sox adminsitration.

Kevin , Deming

I found out from an employee at the Souvenir Store after touring Fenway. It's nice to have someone on first but it comes at a high price. Hearing it on Yawkey Way was doubly traumatizing, as was walking by the "Keep the Faith" billboard with Nomar on it. People everywhere had Nomar shirts on, not knowing. My friend and I felt like we needed to tell everyone we saw. Red Sox Nation is in mourning. We love you Nomar and we will miss you!

Amanda, Boston