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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NOOOOO!!!!!!! I can't believe that the Red Sox had to do this. I'm probably not the only one, but I have a feeling this is the curse of the 21 st Century. Babe was the 20th century, and Nomar the 21st. I can almost hear the call now, "now batting for the Cubs: in the top of the ninth with one on and no outs, after the lead off single by Todd Walker, Nomar Garciaparra. And the Sox are now one half inning from the 1st world series championship since 1918 as they lead here by one, but the Cubs are threating on Foulke. And heres a 1st pitch swing by Nomar and its deep, WAAAAAAYYYYY back, and gone over the Monster and the Cubs now lead by one.....what a hit by Nomar!" I think the most surreal part would be hearing the hit by Nomar and its not for Sox Nation to cheer... It's sad day and prayful time in the nation. But best of luck to Nomar! What a ride it was! Thanks Nomie!

Johnny, Santa Monica

The more I think about it, this seems to be change for change's sake. I recognize that management appears to have been convinced that Nomar wasn't going to resign, so they obviously wanted to get something in return. However, given what's at stake this year, this is a huge gamble that Cabrera will sign after playing in Boston. (I don't know what Mientkiewicz's contract status is.) What if Cabrera doesn't re-sign? What if he can't handle Boston's unique pressure? This is too much a roll of the dice in a year they could reach the Series. it would have been better to let Nomar leave at the end of the year, then try to sign Cabrera if management thinks he's a worthy successor.

Jason , Golden, CO

Thanks for everything Nomar......................Yaz, Fred, Jim, Luis, Spaceman, Bernie, Rocket, thank you frozen Teddie Ball Game........thanks for nothing! (not winning the BIG one).....I will take a case load of nobodies for the 3rd out in the clinching game. Go Theo do WHATEVER it takes!!!! I have enough heroes .........I want a TITLE!

Pablo, Seattle, WA

He was going ot leave at the end of the season. Atleast now there will be some speration before next season when he plays 2nd base for the Yankees.

bill, new jersey

unreal.....Theo is done in this town...! Nomah bled red....

Andy , arlington

Theo was the mistake his theories don't work in real life. He should have been fired when he couldn't land Rodriguez. Then to let the Yankees get him! Then to have Nomar publically humilated over that. Every move he makes weakens the team. If the Red Sox make the playoffs you want guys like Pokey Reese and the new SS batting. The new coach is clueless as well. These guys can't hit. Theo needs to be fired now.

Tim , Toronto

I WAS FOR AND AGAINST THIS DEAL,QUITE SHOCKED AT FIRST ACTUALLY BUT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DID IT ALTHOUGH IT HURTS BECAUSE NOMAR WAS MY FAVOURITE SOX PLAYER AND A GREAT GUY,HE REALLY WAS. BUT WE WERE REALLY A VERY BAD DEFENSIVE TEAM AND THIS IMPROOVED US A LOT,WE LOSE A BIG BAT BUT WE MAY HAVE LOST HIM ANYWAY AT END OF YEAR.I STILL WISH WE COULD HAVE GOT RANDY OR CLEMENT BUT THIS WILL DO. NOMAR WILL ALWAYS BE MY FAV.LAYED TO DON A SOX UNIFORM THOUGH.

ROBERT , TALLAHASSEE.FLORIDA

What a huge dissapointment to the Red Sox organization and to more importantly for the loyal fans of Red Sox nation. Nomar was a key member of the team and part of the heart and soul of being a Red Sox. Apparently Theo is willing to go to any measure to win a championship even if it means breaking our hearts and the disregarding the tradition of the Red Sox. If Teddy were alive, he'd be greatly disappointed with Theo's decision. It will take some time before we get over this one. The Red Sox will not be the same without Nomah, especially if we win a World Series without him!

Sam, New York, NY

Through the years the Red Sox have let star players walk away without getting anything in return, i.e. Roger, Mo. I'm glad that didn't happen this time.

George , Holbrook

It sounds like a lot of people are disgruntled over this deal, and I know it sucks to lose a franchise player like Nomar. You are getting two players who statistically have hit better than their current averages allow, so don't count Cabrera and Mientkiewicz out as a pair of "nobodies". Mientkiewicz plays hard, and he fills a need. He might not hit bombs out of the ballpark, but as we've heard 3,495 times over his career with the Twins, his defense "saves a run a game." At least you received players who can help you now. All Minnesota got was someone to help them three years from now.

Amy, Minneapolis