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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This trade helps the Sox defensively, but the loss of Nomar's presence in the lineup will have a ripple effect on the offense, especially with Nixon out for any length of time. This move may pay dividends next year given that it was unlikely they would be able to sign Garciaparra, but I do not think it helps them win the World Series this year.

Craig, Marlborough

Defense!!! We need it and we don't need worry about the feelings of Nomar anymore. Cabrera is an unknown talent, and Doug is a gold glover. Our bats are goin to suffer a little bit, but say goodbye to unearned runs, especially with the return of Pokey!!

pmpdot, alexandria, va

I don't want to hear that we should have kept Nomar. That would be the thought of a non-baseball fan. You HAD to trade him. Having said that, I think the Red Sox did quite well. Look at the speed we picked up. Roberts and Cabrera can really steal bases. Cabrera is as good defensively and can be a good hitter (17hr 80rbi last year) Meintkewicz is a great first baseman and allows Millar to play more right and Ortiz more DH. Bye Nomar:(

Scott, Cheshire

HORRIBLE

Michael, Andover

Nope. Not one buit. You take 100 rbi's out of a lineup and replace it with esentially is another pokey reese type glove. How can we win ball games when we can't score. Nomar's been a model Red Sox for so many years, it's too bad it had to end like this. If this was Henry's and Theo's intent all along, they should have spent the extra 3 million a year and signed A-Rod when they tried to trade for him. Just wait until Nomar's wearing pinstripes next year - should be another fun season for Red Sox nation. This "Money Ball" attitude Theo and Henry have isn;t working for Oakland - it wont work hear. When do the Pat's start playing?

Big Al, Everett

Since Mientkiewcz could have been aquired for a bag of balls we essentially traded Nomar for Cabrera who is no better then an average shotstop. How does this make the team better and how can managment justify this move? In no way does this enhance the teams chances of winning a world series in 2004. Now if clement was aquired thats one thing but to give up Nomar for Cabrera thats setting the team back. I dont care if the media says Nomar is a baby and i dont care that he wont talk to them. The guy played the game hard and he played the game right. Maybe they can say well we were going to lose him anyway but Cabrera is a free agent also. If you wanted Cabrera let him go into free agency and sign him once Nomar plays out this year and walks. Then you can make a move to compensate for the loss in offense that WILL HURT THE TEAM. Who is hitting behind Manny now? Millar?, Varitek?, Mientkiewicz? I dont think so. I dont see how this deal works in the short term and its disapointing to see a player like Nomar who still has more years to play and might some day be a Hall of Famer and be thought of as one of the ten best shortstops in the history of the game. Everyone says his a baby and so on but if the Globe went out and tried to hire say Mike Lupica to come in and take over for Shaugnessy he would not handle that well. The guy has been a loyal player his whole carrer and deserved a lot better this last year. Its a sad dan in boston and the team just isnt better today because of the deal. Theo hasnt made many mistakes and time might tell a different story but I will say right now that this deal will have a negative effect on the team.

dan, boston

While I am sad to see Nomar leave Boston after 9 all-star years, he just wasn't in the plans of Theo and the Trio. Will this take the Sox all the way? Only time and good pitching and timely hitting will tell. Thank you Nomar, good luck in ChiTown.

jeff, wellesley

Maybe... maybe not. But the honest truth is that it will not be the same without seeing number 5 playing short stop for the Sox. This year has been a low-point in his awesome career with the dirt dogs, but I will be a Nomar fan for life, and will miss his style and his skills.

Mikey, Wakefield

those guys can't hit, I think it stinks. this is a classic case of the red sox being insane and trying to convince themselves that their best players aren't really that good

john, oakland

Bad,Bad deal Sox need PITCHING!!!! don't know what Theo was thinking. Would have been better getting the Cubs minor league pitching propects.......

tony , leesburg, fl