>
> The Expos are an excellent farm team, and I
>won't tolerate anyone saying different.
>

True enough. I seem to recall a certain pitcher named Martinez started in Montreal.

But still. The SS the Sox got from Montreal is good, but he's no replacement for Nomar. And I've never even HEARD of this first baseman they got from Minnesota.

The rumored Nomar Garciaparra for Matt Clement trade I heard about last week would have at least been tolerable, since the Sox likely lose Pedro to free agency this offseason anyway. But Nomar for Cabrera and Mientkiewicz?? Heart breaking.

If the Sox can manage to go on a tear and get back into the thick of the playoff race, maybe it's all justified. But it looks more to me like they're throwing in the towel. I think the team is going to be dismantled in the offseason.

And who wants to take bets that the Yankees are gonna go for Nomar once he hits his free agency this fall? Sure, they already *have* two all-star short stops, but hey, they're the YANKEES. They'll just have him play second or something. I think their goal is to have an all-All-Star-Shortstop infield next year.

-- Dave