The Sox have traded the two-time AL batting champ for two former Gold Glovers. Can the Sox make the playoffs with this new lineup?

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Yes, the lineup can hit, and leads the league in runs scored .In my opinion, defense, along with Nomar's sour attitude, were the two largest problems this team needed to correct. Now that both issues have been addressed and fixed, I can see deep into October.

Jeffrey, Quincy

Sox traded a horse for two ponies, better defensively yes BUT needed pitching when dealing Nomar. Up until June, all everyone kept saying was wait until Trot and Nomar return....essentially with Reese and Cobrera as interchangeable thats where we are...It was time for Nomar to leave but I don't feel we are overall a better team. This lineup no longer intimidates NY, Oak or any other contenders. Hope I''m wrong..see yah

Chuck

Nope. No way. Definitely not. Trading Nomar will just make the Curse last longer. Even if we do make the playoffs (which we would've with Nomar in Boston anyways), we will not win the World Series. We should all just hope that Nomar would sign with Red Sox when he becomes a free agent after this year.

Eric, Cambridge, Mass (age 18)

Yes I think thay can win with this lineup. The Sox played better at the beginning of the season without Nomar in the lineup. Now they have a younger up and comming Shortstop and better defense at 1st. Smart moves. Nomar is a superstar, but there has to be more going on behind the scenes we don't know about. They tried too hard to trade him all year long. Look at what happened in Seattle when Griffey was traded. A real superstar, but with out him they tie the record for the most wins in a season the following year. These guys can be a real drain in the clubhouse sometimes. The Red Sox can win with this lineup and they will win. They must beat the evil empire and finally take a them down. Nomar doesn't matter. Only Beating the Yankees does!

George, Candia New Hampshire

While this doesn't come as a surprise, I still can't believe Sox management and Nomar couldn't have worked out their differences. It seems that a group of reasonable adults, each who claim to want to still be partnered with the other, could and should have reached an agreement in the end. Nomar's #5 was suppossed to be up there above the right field gradstand some day. I think we're all dissappointed it's not going to work out that way. I wish him the best. As for what we got in return...egad. Move over Celtics. There's another once great and beloved Boston team waiting to join you on the sidelines of our affection.

Mike, Wakefield

Yes they can still win with this lineup. Cabrera will hit better and is an upgrade defensivly. The talent is there but something seems missing from this team. They look like the 2001 team that won 90+ games but missed the playoffs. There is no consistency. I wish Nomar all the best with the Cubs. Guys a class act professional ballplayer. Shame he had to go. But the Sox had to get something for him.

Dave, Los Angeles

Here we go again. This will certainly come back to haunt us.

Bryan, Burlington, Vermont

I STILL THINK THE RED SOX NEED A QUALITY STARTER. PERHAPS THEO CAN PICK UP SOMEONE LIKE JOHN WASDIN.

RICHARD , HOLDEN,MA

I know you all "hate" me right off the bat, but I'm a Yankees fan. Let me tell you, I spoke to a few of my friends -- also Yanks fans -- and we are happy to see him out of the American League. He was a scary dude to have up at the plate against you. He hasn't been overly clutch the last few seasons, but there was ALWAYS that possibility that he could take ANY pitch from any pitcher and drive it somewhere hard, for that extra-base hit that would be the difference in the game. That lineup, with him in it, was a tough lineup to deal with (especially with this year's Yankee pitchers). My friends and I realize that even though he's gone and the overall lineup has gotten a little weaker, they, the team, has become a lot better. I can think of a few games where an error at first, or short, caused more runs to score than would have been scored if the play had been made. This move, although sad for the fans who loved Nomar, is probably going to get them over the hump against my team this year. Their offense is good enough to withstand losing his bat, and now their defense will make Schilling, Pedro, and ESPECIALLY Lowe, much better pitchers. Epstein did it right, Boston fans. Unfortunately for me and my team, I think that THIS is the year you'll see them win it all. Ugh. The mere thought of that happening makes me ill. :-) Good luck Sox fans.

Alex, Boston

Not a chance. This was trade for trade sake with little to no tangible value. Both the players theRed Sox got hit .246 each with 5 homers and combined 53 RBI. Johnny Damon has better numbers then THAT! It is a patetic attempt to get "something" for Nomar becuase the media had everyone here convinced he was leaving. What they got was next to nothing and there is no excuse or SPIN Theo and the trio can put on this. In the spring Nomar was worth Garrett Anderson in trade consideration and other more lucrative deals. THIS- THIS bag of balls and a movie coupon for one of the best shortstops to palay the game AND sacrificing the minor league system in trading Murton while picking up NOTHING for the future.. THIS was a good trade that will help them win? They will be lucky to hold off Baltimore and Tampa the next few years. Losers.

Fred, Uxbridge