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?

Page 21

No, they got rid of the most important player. Nomar held the team together! They were stupid to let him go. I think they have lost any hope of making into the wildcard spot!

Marisa, Chelmsford

The Sox can absolutely win with this lineup, they could have won with the old lineup. The problem is not the players, the problem is the manager. Terry Francona has not done the little things that managers must do to play consistent, winning baseball. Their poor play is a direct reflection of his leadership, hopefully they will win despite him.

Chuck, North Andover

Anwser, Yes. Yeah Nomar is great and the beloved franchise player but baseball is a long season and a team needs chemistry. Nomar can be quirky at bat and quiet in the clubhouse but too many error, injuries, and declining a huge contract offer is just bad mojo. These new guys can sound up the defense and hopefully get that team chemistry going again.

Don, Park City, Utah

When I first heard about this trade I was as shaken up as everyone else. But, let's stop and think about it for a second. The Sox get two gold-glove winners for their infield. Let's face it... Nomar's D has been slipping the past two years. He's spent more time on the DL or the bench this year than he has on the field. And, the most important part, he wasn't going to re-sign at the end of the year. So, why not pull the trigger on this and instantly turn your bad news bears infield into the best in baseball (when Reese is back out there)? This makes the pitching (especially Lowe) better by default. And, let's face it guys, the Sox have been treading water the past 3 months. They weren't really moving in a positive direction. Nomar was unhappy (he asked not to play in the last game against the Yankees). Plus, with the money they save with this move they may be able to sign a front-line starter in the off-season, or at least retain their key free agents. Cabrerra may have been having a crappy year at the plate, but you'd be surprised what a change in scenery can do for a guy, especially when you go from playing in front of 7,000 people to 35,000. Last year he finished second among NL shortstops in batting average (.298), slugging (.460) and RBIs (80), and he also had 17 homers and 24 SB's. Those aren't bad numbers at all, plus he's a doubles machine which means he and Fenway will get along just fine. So, let's not all freak out about this. Will I miss Nomar? Hell yeah I'll miss him, as we all will. But, the Sox needed something to happen to shore up their defense, which they did. And, in a roundabout way, they also improved their pitching. It's a good deal.

Kavan, Los Angeles (formerly Bourne)

Ha Ha Theo Epstein. Jim Hendry just took you to school. You traded a proven all star for a bunch of prospects and none of them were the Cubs best ones like Felix Pie, Bobby Brownlie and Angel Guzman. Next time let your mommy make the trades for you.

Mike, Del Mar California

I'm a Sox fan in NYC. Nomar is great but he is not the man that will bring a championship to Boston. If you have ever played a team sport you know that one bad apple can ruin a team. This trade is not a bust. The Sox have many very good players and these trades add two more very good players. The result, a much better TEAM.

Mark, New York, NY

This is a great move for the Sox. Both for this season and going forward. Good luck in ChiTown Nomar but the Sox are now a better "team"!

Paul, Billerica

I along with millions of Red Sox fans everywhere would personally move heaven and earth to win a championship. What I would never do is move Nomar. How do you go into battle without your leader? It comes down to this, if by some miracle of fate, if the planets align in October, 2004 and the Gods smile down upon us and bring a world championship to Boston, my ecstasy will be dampened by the knowledge that our Captain is somewhere watching us on TV, knowing that he brought us to the brink and then we pushed him off. I for one, will be thinking of him and remembering his leadership, his integrity and that he embodies all that is good in our tradition of baseball. My joy will be tempered with the knowledge that although he gave us his heart and his soul, our organization couldn't find it within itself to give him that same commitment and loyalty in return. We all know the players on the team that bring this team down. We traded the one guy who shut his mouth and did his job.

Jennifer, North Providence, RI

I wish Nomar all the best. He was a classy guy and a good player. He needed a change, we needed a change.

Lena , Dedham (now live in Florida)

I hope that the guys that are left and want to play ie Kevin M.,Pookey, Bellhorn et al will be happy with the loss of playing time.Beacuse its bound to happen who goes who stays who plays ????Good luck keeping the peace Mr.Francona !!!!! But it was a deffinite help in the defense ...I hope the pitching holds up.Maybe they are looking to buy a pitcher for a month oor two down the linr ??? Good Luck I LOVE my SOX

Nancy, Northboro