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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THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!! All Cub fans thank the idiots running the Red Sox. 9999999

Martin, Chicago

This is a prime example of trying to get a deal done just to get a deal done, with the end result being a diminished team. The Red Sox management was to blame for the entire A-Rod fiasco last winter, and for not extending an olive branch afterwards (or during the season) to cure the rift with Nomar. Chicago is exstatic right now, and should be. This was a bone head move. Talk about dismantling a powerhouse team, player by player. When we don't make the playoff this year because of a return of the "dead bats", you'll remember my words.

Paul , Exeter, NH

The Sox are only better off on two conditions: first, that they are certain that Nomar would be gone after this season, or at least not stay for the money they were willing to pay, AND that they were able to acquire through this deal more than they could have during the off-season. Otherwise, they just down graded a team that should be a playoff contender. Nomar has been inexcusably childish this year and his attitude hurts the team, but is a penant chase the time to test out new chemistry and dimensions. Obviously, no. So why not sign guys as good as Meintkewics and Cabrera during the off-season and keep the best talent for now? They saved $1.5million, and that's assuming the cash the Cubs got was not from the Sox.

Amy, Brookline

It breaks my heart but the deal is a good one. The problem is that we wanted Nomar to love Boston and the Sox as much as we love Boston and the Sox. But alas, it wasn't meant to be. The easy road for Theo would have been to stay the course but he did the right thing. Arguably, Theo improved the team for this year and he almost certainly did for next year (if Nomar walks away, what legitimate free agent is there to play short or 2B?). The damage was done long ago. This is just the unfortunate result. Hopefully, once he walks away, Nomar realizes that it wasn't so bad here and maybe the team with the most money to spend in the off-season on the SS position can strike a deal with the best SS on the market. That wasn't going to happen under the status quo. Maybe it will now. In the meantime, maybe Cabrera can rediscover the stroke he had in 2003. Go Sox.

Chip, South Boston

I have a sick feeling in my gut that I can't seem to shake. I still cannot believe it. It keeps getting harder and harder to care about the Red Sox when stuff like this happens. Glad I got to see Nomar's last game Wednesday in Baltimore. How can getting rid of one of the hearts of the Red Sox be good for the team. I'm just so depressed.

Roberta, Columbia, MD

The Babe, Clemens and now Nomar....will the Red Sox management EVER learn. Stupidest move that could have been made. A) we lost a 5 time all star and B) we gain no pitching and no real quality players. Good Luck Nomar and Mia, you will be sorely missed. (And to think I toured Fenway today and sat in the dug out, as I did I said "I wonder if Nomar has sat here too). I think that sums it up nicely.

GC, Boston

Reading these ignorant responses leave me with one feeling...Bostonians never see a positive side of an isse. They are too stuck on the past and preach this faux attachement to a guy that never won them anything. I loved to watch Nomar play too, but times MUST change. The team has to make moves for the future of the organization. I know that may be hard for some of you numbskulls to comprehend, but if you stop listening to fools on WEEI and to other media types, you might see that there is life outside of the past.

Dan, New York via Boston

Arrg. I knew that Nomar was going to eventually leave, but it still just doesn't feel right. Improving your defense at first base is not the ticket to the playoffs. Now you'll have either Ortiz or Millar sitting out on a regular basis. (Unless you put Millar in right field - a truly terrifying prospect for the playoffs) It seems like Nomar's biggest sin was not being a good quote for some of the writers/ sportscasters.

Steve, Sharon

Most people don't understand regardless of what Nomar said in his press conference he did not seem to have any interest in returning to the red sox next year. He turned down 4yrs for 60mil. Too bad agents have ruined most sports. It is sad to see him go, but at least the Sox got something for him before he just walked.

Bob, Beverly

IF NOMAR REALLY WANTS TO PLAY THERE,HE HAS ANOTHER CHANCE IN THE OFF SEASON--REMEMBER,HE IS A FREE AGENT,AND STRANGER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED--ON THE OTHER HAND,HE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE ENJOYING PLAYING THERE THIS YEAR,AND IF THAT IS THE CASE,THEN THIS MIGHT WORK OUT FOR BOTH SIDES........

PAUL , BRADENTON,FL.