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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Uhhhhhhhh, NO! Have you SEEN the way Cabrera bats? And he's not even signed through next season. Talk about getting nothing in return...we got nothing in return. On a side note, I find it highly ironic that Dan Shaugnessy would claim this deal is good for the club "atmosphere," since no is more negative than Shaugnessey. Why is he still on the Globe team? He seriously makes me want to read the paper less. The fans loved Nomar, I would take a bullet for him. It's reporters like Shaugnessy who make players thyink we hate them, and, in turn, cause them to be unhappy. Nice job globe. Who are you going to drive out of here next?

Nick, Washington, DC

Yes they can still win. Ya I'm on the left coast but I was born and raised in Western Mass, I love the sox. I watch about 120-130 Red Sox games on Major League Extra Innings. My opinion of Nomar THIS YEAR is that he wanted out and he didn't care about playing for the sox. You win with defense and pitching and the last time I watched Nomar he wasn't doing either. Nomar will be in LA next year. One last thing, with all of this crying going on the Red Sox Nation sounds like the Raider Nation and believe me that is not good.

Bob, Livermore, Ca

How do you get so little for Nomar??? I believe that Nomar was going to walk at the end of the season, and although I find it hard to believe that a quiet guy with a borderline excessive work ethic can be a cancer, I'll give Theo the benefit of the doubt and say he should have been traded for the right price. So let's take a look at this trade. They received Cabrera, a nice fielding shortstop who showed some nice pop with the bat last year before falling off a cliff this year. Again, giving the benefit of the doubt, I'll say that he'll pick up this year's miserable production several notches when he joins a playoff contender to become a nice player. Nowhere near a Nomar, but a nice player. So they have him locked up to a reasonably inexpensive contract for several years...right? No, he's a free agent at the end of the season, just like Nomar. Next, let's look at Mientkewicz. I look at this guy as a nothing, a throw-in from the Twins. They would have traded this guy to Theo for a Fenway Frank (a lobster roll at most) because they get to dump salary and replace him with the top major league ready 1B prospect in the game (Morneau). They could have landed Mientkewicz for Cesar Crespo, so I can justifiably count him as nothing in this trade. Let's look what they gave up: 1) NOMAR, one of the top SS's in baseball history. Don't need to say more. 2) One of their top hitting prospects in Murton. I'm baffled over this one...as if Nomar wasn't enough? So Theo just traded Nomar and one of his top prospects for a nice but inferior SS who will also be a free agent and a throwin. Sounds like a fair deal. Good job wonderboy. Do you want to come to my house to play poker tonight? The Cubs just bluffed you out of your full house when they had a pair of 8's. There is no reason why you couldn't get Clement and Cabrera for Nomar. And if you couldn't, you should have said NO. I know you like to make deadline deals, but they are not a requirement. Besides, you already had one with your Roberts blockbuster. Our defense is better, though. Gammons mentioned this morning that Pokey, Mientkewicz and Cabrera will make a great infield defensively. Maybe it will, but has he considered the offensive dropoff of going from Nomar to Cabrera, Millar (Ortiz in the unlikely event of a World Series) to Mienkewicz, and Bellhorn to Pokey??? Gimme a break. There is no way the defense even comes close to making up for the offense lost there. One more thing...I'll give you that Millar and Ortiz are atrocious at 1B, but when did Nomar become a defensive liablility at SS? What a debacle. And what a sad day for this Sox fan and his equally depressed father.

Jim, D.C.

Better to receive someone because we all know Nomar was unhappy in Boston. All the player movement makes sense if you are a Sox fan because their defense was killing them and the pitchers either had to strikeout the opponents in key situations or watch hopelessly as the defense would bungle play after play causing them to lose many close games. Small ball MUST become part of the routine especially on the road.

Peter, Keene,NH

they cant do any worst now than they did with him

roger, lewiston

Yes the lineup will be better. I don't see what the problem is. We traded one player and got TWO. I think we should have traded Lowe, Pedro and Varitek also. Each of those players will not be back next year and we could have received TWO players for each of them also. Two players that want to be here are better than one who doesn't.

davis, portland

Normar was a malcontent. Teams win, individuals do not. The Red Sox received not equal value, but 3 players who will give their all for Boston. Good riddance Normar, you came, you made money, you never won for us a championship, so enjoy Dusty!

Jay, Medford

An emphatic yes. They upgraded their lineup defensively in 2 positions and have a shortstop who will be available every day, so Francona won't be left with Gutierrez at SS.

mark, west haven

I do not think they have a chance this year as the lineup stands. We have some of the best hitters in baseball , but we can never get it together (pitching and hitting). Now without Nomar all is lost as far as I am concerned. I am 63 years old and have been an avid fan all my life no matter where I lived, I've taken my four children to spring training and to Boston many times. Now I am about to look for another team.... maybe Boston Braves...(Atlanta)

Joseph , Boston now Albany Ga

Yes, I believe they can win with this lineup. Ortiz has basically taken the place in the lineup, and has done a marvelous job. The only thing that can hurt the Bosox now are the suspensions that are still pending; otherwise, they have the role players in place to make a dramatic run at the Yankess, and secure the wild Card spot. Their defense has lost at least 10 games this year, and their offense really didn't miss Nomar's bat early in the season, and he has made some big outs since being back. I love Nomar, and will miss him in the unform. Timing is everything!

Rick, Chesapeake