The questions you have to ask yourself, if you're a Red Sox fan, are these: Is the team better now, after the trading deadline, than it was two weeks ago? Are the Sox better equipped, in relation to the other contenders, to defend their American League title and World Series championship? Has Theo Epstein done a better job than Brian Cashman, Tony Reagins, and Andrew Friedman in strengthening his team for the stretch run?
The answers are: No. No. No, no, and maybe.
Two weeks ago, Boston was coming off the All-Star break atop the A.L. East. Now, the high-priced Sox are three games behind the bargain-basement Rays and battling to stay ahead of the resurgent Yankees in the battle for second place in the division.
But that's not what's important right now.
What matters most at the moment is that, while the Yankees have added Ivan "Pudge' Rodriguez, Xavier Nady, and Damaso Marte, and while the Angels have picked up slugger Mark Teixeira, the Red Sox have traded away one of the greatest hitters in team history - or, for that matter, baseball history -- in Manny Ramirez.
It's all well and good to say "goodbye and good riddance" to the increasingly problematic Ramirez, but it would be wrong to say the Red Sox are as good a team without his potent presence in the lineup, batting behind David Ortiz.
Since Big Papi arrived from Minnesota in 2003, he and Manny have been the best 1-2 punch in baseball, enabling the Sox to snap their 86-year title drought and win two World Series in the last four years.
Now it's the Angels who can claim that distinction, with Teixeira - who's hit more than 30 homers each of the last four seasons - joining Vladimir Guerrero in a lineup that already was better than Boston's - as Anaheim's eight wins in nine games with the Sox conclusively prove.
There's no question that the Yankees are a much-improved team, thanks to Cashman's recent deals with the Pirates and Tigers.
From Pittsburgh, he obtained a highly-effective, left-handed set-up man out of the bullpen - something the Sox certainly could use - in Marte, who was 4-0 for the Pirates. Taking over as the closer in Pittsburgh on July 2, Marte had five saves in as many chances. As a National Leaguer, he struck out 47 men in 46.2 innings while walking only 16. Opponents were batting just .217 against him.
Nady was the Pirates' leading hitter - batting a team-high .330, with 26 doubles, 13 homers, and 57 RBI.
And, on the day catcher Jorge Posada underwent season-ending surgery on his ailing right shoulder, the Yanks made a deal with Detroit for the veteran Rodriguez, a 13-time Gold Glove winner who still has some pop in his bat.
If you're the division-leading Rays, who are you more worried about now - the Sox, or the Yankees?
The answer is obvious.
Sitting atop the standings, the Rays apparently felt they could stand pat. Or, at least, felt any deal they made could as likely to hurt them as help them.
Would it have been better if Epstein had done nothing?
Theo obviously felt that wasn't an option.
Clearly, the Sox could tolerate Ramirez' antics no longer. They had become, not merely distracting, but downright divisive - a deadly destroyer of clubhouse karma.
And so, Manny had to go, in a move that deserves the often-tried, but not always-true, label of "addition by subtraction."
There is no arguing that Jason Bay, who'll take over for Manny in left field, is a very good player. He's a two-time All-Star who's hitting .282, with 20 homers and 64 RBI - figures that compare favorably with Manny's .299 average, 20 homers, and 68 RBI.
Bay was the N.L. Rookie of the Year in 2004, and had career highs in homers (35) and RBI (109) in 2006. Seven years younger than Ramirez, his best years, hopefully, are ahead of him.
But right now, this year, who would you rather see batting cleanup for Boston?
The problem was, the Sox couldn't stand the sight of Manny any longer. So eager was Epstein to get Ramirez out of town that he included erratic reliever Craig Hansen and reserve outfielder Brandon Moss as part of the three-way trade with Pittsburgh and the Dodgers, and also agreed to pay Manny's hefty salary for the remainder of the year.
So, now, Manny's in L.A. and Bay is in Boston. Teixeira's in Anaheim, and Rodriguez, Marte, and Nady are in New York.
So what do you say, Sox fans - who got the best deal? Do you think the Red Sox are better positioned now to win another World Series than they were two weeks ago?
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please i hate red sox please trade daver hansack he has not a chance with that team he is wasting his talent.
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I hated to see Manny's production leave and the Sox are definitely weaker. But what choice did they have but to trade Manny if he was refusing to play and alienating his teammates? I do fault Theo for not filling other holes on the team -- why couldn't we get Pudge Rodriguez, or Damaso Marte?
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Dissapointed that the team and management couldn't work this out with Manny. Tell him the Sox aren't picking up the options, he will get to be a free agent, play hard for the team, the playoff run and his next free agent contract. I blame Sox management and Manny for this lousy situation. Red Sox opposition is happy about this trade because the Red Sox are now weaker. It is a shame. If Terry Francona felt it was time for Manny to go....then so be it...Terry is the manager and he desreves to be respected. It is unfortunate that Manny couldn't be a better team-player for another 2-3 months. Thanks for the good memories and the championships Manny. Good luck to Jason Bay - start hot and stay hot. Go Sox!
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If Jim Donaldson believes that the Sox mad a bad move that only strengthens my belief that this is a good deal. Jim is rarely correct and very often Mr. Negative.
To review the questions that Mr. Donaldson asked:
1) The questions you have to ask yourself, if you're a Red Sox fan, are these: Is the team better now, after the trading deadline, than it was two weeks ago?
I say, YES. Manny's decision not to play against the Yankees was the final straw. His lack of care had become cancerous in the dugout. Manny taking nearly 6 seconds to run to first base during a no hitter only helped the tumor grow. Manny fighting with Youkilis and knocking down 60 yearold team traveling secretary Jack McCormick.... The Sox had no choice but to remove Manny.
Are the Sox better equipped, in relation to the other contenders, to defend their American League title and World Series championship?
Yes, only in the fact that they have removed a great distraction and have replaced Manny with a better defensive, younger, faster player with 10 tons less baggage. Manny is a better hitter but not by much.
Has Theo Epstein done a better job than Brian Cashman, Tony Reagins, and Andrew Friedman in strengthening his team for the stretch run?
Cashman- maybe.
Cashman did a good job (but he needed too! The > $200 MILLION Yankees had more needs. But, Cashman did make good moves in getting Nady and Marte. I question if Pudge will be as good as his past history.
Tony Reagins - NO. (I agree with Jim)
Reagins already had a serious contender and made that team better by adding Texiera.
The Angels currently look like the team to beat. However, I do believe that the Angels are making a HUGE MISTAKE overusing K-Rod. This may prove costly in September and October.
Andrew Friedman - YES!
What did the Devil Rays add?? They should have gotten Veteran leadership to help this team make history for Tamp Bay (worst to First)
If you're the division-leading Rays, who are you more worried about now - the Sox, or the Yankees?
The answer is not obvious.
The D-Rays have handled both of these teams quite well in the past but should continue to be ready to play both. Boston did strengthened itself defensively and did not lose much offensively. I would rather have Posada than Pudge so the Yankees just filled a hole at the catcher's spot 3/4 of what it was. Adding Nady improved them in left and with another bat and who knows what Marte brings (but I think he is an improvement over what Farnsworth was doing for the Yankees).
But right now, this year, who would you rather see batting cleanup for Boston?
Manny 4 years ago. I am not so sure about the Manny we were seeing this year and last.
So what do you say, Sox fans - who got the best deal?
The Angels!
Do you think the Red Sox are better positioned now to win another World Series than they were two weeks ago?
Yes, but I think the Angels were the better team 2 weeks ago and I think the Angels are the current choice to represent the American League.
However, September baseball is much different than July baseball.
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If Jim Donaldson believes that the Sox mad a bad move that only strengthens my belief that this is a good deal. Jim is rarely correct and very often Mr. Negative.
To review the questions that Mr. Donaldson asked:
1) The questions you have to ask yourself, if you're a Red Sox fan, are these: Is the team better now, after the trading deadline, than it was two weeks ago?
I say, YES. Manny's decision not to play against the Yankees was the final straw. His lack of care had become cancerous in the dugout. Manny taking nearly 6 seconds to run to first base during a no hitter only helped the tumor grow. Manny fighting with Youkilis and knocking down 60 yearold team traveling secretary Jack McCormick.... The Sox had no choice but to remove Manny.
Are the Sox better equipped, in relation to the other contenders, to defend their American League title and World Series championship?
Yes, only in the fact that they have removed a great distraction and have replaced Manny with a better defensive, younger, faster player with 10 tons less baggage. Manny is a better hitter but not by much.
Has Theo Epstein done a better job than Brian Cashman, Tony Reagins, and Andrew Friedman in strengthening his team for the stretch run?
Cashman- maybe.
Cashman did a good job (but he needed too! The > $200 MILLION Yankees had more needs. But, Cashman did make good moves in getting Nady and Marte. I question if Pudge will be as good as his past history.
Tony Reagins - NO. (I agree with Jim)
Reagins already had a serious contender and made that team better by adding Texiera.
The Angels currently look like the team to beat. However, I do believe that the Angels are making a HUGE MISTAKE overusing K-Rod. This may prove costly in September and October.
Andrew Friedman - YES!
What did the Devil Rays add?? They should have gotten Veteran leadership to help this team make history for Tamp Bay (worst to First)
If you're the division-leading Rays, who are you more worried about now - the Sox, or the Yankees?
The answer is not obvious.
The D-Rays have handled both of these teams quite well in the past but should continue to be ready to play both. Boston did strengthened itself defensively and did not lose much offensively. I would rather have Posada than Pudge so the Yankees just filled a hole at the catcher's spot 3/4 of what it was. Adding Nady improved them in left and with another bat and who knows what Marte brings (but I think he is an improvement over what Farnsworth was doing for the Yankees).
But right now, this year, who would you rather see batting cleanup for Boston?
Manny 4 years ago. I am not so sure about the Manny we were seeing this year and last.
So what do you say, Sox fans - who got the best deal?
The Angels!
Do you think the Red Sox are better positioned now to win another World Series than they were two weeks ago?
Yes, but I think the Angels were the better team 2 weeks ago and I think the Angels are the current choice to represent the American League.
However, September baseball is much different than July baseball.
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>But right now, this year, who would you rather see batting cleanup for Boston?
Right now I would rather see the Manny Ramirez that seemed to have grown up and settled down at the beginning of this season, and not the Manny Ramirez we have seen since the Tampa brawl. 1st half Manny is gone and the Sox would have had to take a huge, HUGE chance that the Manny we're seeing now would pay any 2nd half dividends at all.
So now we've got a choice between 2nd half Manny and Jason Bay. I'll take Bay. I'm sure with the Manny circus off to Hollywood, the Sox will find ways to win.
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