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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It was good a trade as any. Nomar was going to leave at the end of the season, FACT. Sox had 4 big free agents; not all were coming back, FACT. Sox current team is HORRIBLE defensively, FACT. Sox current team has virtually no team speed or little ball capabitity, FACT. Of those facts, the trade(s) filled those gaps. Got gold gloves in Cabrera and Minke. Neither hits as well BUT neither are horrible. Dave Roberts is a proven base-mover. Nomar's eggshell personality is gone. Should they be satisfied? No. But its a great start in the right direction. Give it a little time; who knows what August may bring.

Matt , Brea, CA (formerly of NH)

I have a fabulous photo of Nomar - the last time in a Red Sox Uniform - taken Wednesday night, July 28th, 2004 in Baltimore at 6:55PM. (he did not play on July 30th) I am willing to send it free to anyone who asks - no strings attached, I am 65, and I respect this genuine human being, and future hall-of-famer. I will share it with anyone if Boston.com will let me. Send request to mewzik2u4u@msn.com.

Lenny, Springfield

When i think of the Boston Red Sox, my favorite team in all of sports, i think of Nomah who has been the quiet and the team leader for so many years. when i saw this trade i almost cried, it was like losing a cousin, or losing a friend taht you have known for so long. i believe ity was only a mnatter of time for this to happen, either now or the end of the season when they would have gotten noone. But to see who they acquired for the best SS in the game is sad, Cabrera, Menkevictz and some other guy i have never heard of, who have no offensive power that nomah had, they will not have the same integrity and honor that the home grown sox player had. it is a sad day for the red sox.

James , Weymouth

As a Yankee fan, I couldn't be more happy. This will make the Babe Ruth Trade to the Yankees look good! Way to go Boston!!!

Eddie S, Marlboro, NJ

Welcome to the rest of the league, folks. When I guy is gonna go, he's gonna go and you got to get the best you can for him. But, I must say, Wigginton for Kris Benson is a better deal.

Bernie, Pittsburgh, PA

Epstein has made a major error that ultimately will speed his own departure. His hubris and inexperience showed in the winter when he put Ramirez on waivers and mishandled negotiations to resign Nomar. (Where would the Sox be this year without Manny ?) At the trade deadline, Epstein was so determined to dump Nomar, a community icon, that he accepted grossly lower value. This is obvious and there's no way the Sox are better off. (The new "defensive wiz" SS just commited an error in his game #1). A better decision would be to get a new manager -- the results of Epstein's hiring Francona presage the outcome of this trade: a series of mediocre finishes, out of the playoffs, for years to come. Advice: Accept Nomar at his word that he loves Boston and wants to finish his career here. (Why would anyone doubt the integrity of a person with Nomar's work ethic and passion for the game ? Epstein's a dismal judge of character, among other things.. ) Do what the Orioles did last year and sign Nomar as a free agent after the season. We want him back already ! The city and the team need him. What we don't need is a GM who's a poor judge of character and prone to very big mistakes.

Steve, Boston

Carlton Fisk Freddy Lynn Rick Burleson Dewey Evans Wade Boggs Rawgah Clemens Nomah Those are the ones we identified with. I won't even bring up the ones we've mistreated, who stayed. Why does this happen? Things didn't (and do not) have to be this way. Why does this team keep screwing our favorite guys? If Yaz wasn't so tight with the Yawkeys, we might have seen his name there too. I thought this was supposed to stop. ...and don't hang it on Nomar for not signing the contract offer last year. There is much more to it than that. Be thankful that Good Ol' Manny is the free spirit that he is. Loiok how they tried to hang him out to dry last winter. Everyone I've mentioned, gave their heart and soul to the Sawx and when they were about to get screwed, left. Tell me why we blame them? We didn't exactly treat Jim Ed and Greenwell like gold either. Heck, we could not even treat Teddy Ballgame right. ...and we still come back for more. " Thank you sir may I have another?" Words of wisdom - Be careful not to get to like any of the players to much. They will be treated like crap and let go like all of the others. The decision makers will keep counting on the fact that we will continue to need our fix of hope that one day we will win the series. I'm empty.

Bill, Urbana Maryland

I think this trade is terible.We could have gotten Mientkevicz after then deadline trough waivers most likely.Cabrera is not even close to Nomar.Nomar is a superstar they get traded for superstars.We should have got Matt Clement or no deal .This ranks up there Sparky Lyle for Danny Cater makes me sick .I blame the owner he did not want Nomar here now he is gone and alot of fans are angry .Sad day in my house

Scott , Somerset

Not good. Mientkiewicz could have been had for just about nothing. Heck, if D was important, pick up Olrued who was just released. That essentially means Nomar for Cabrera. Nomar is not only a superstar, but is also a Boston icon. Cabrera is just a good player. Lopsided. Oh yeah, to add insult to injury, we also tossed in top 2003 pick Murton along with cash.

Jeff , West Roxbury

For generations, the Sox have been popular losers. Management seems to have finally found a way to resolve this contradiction -- by making them less popular. Trade the most recognizable face on the team and pick up two scrubs. Now, perhaps, the Sox will be as unpopular as they are unsuccessful.

Michael, Revere