Dead Sox

If they write an autopsy on the Red Sox this year, I'm not going to read it. Watching the slow and tortured death of this monstrosity has been painful enough as it is.

So Theo, since I know you read InstantReplay regularly, here's my advice: see what the team can do in the next few weeks. Eight and a half games does not a grave make, but we're well on our way, as you know. Let the All-Star Break pass, and if they Yankees falter or we pick up serious steam, then go for it. But if at any time between now and July 30th we fall more than 12 games out, you need - we all need - an exit strategy. Say it's July 16th, and we've just dropped our third straight to fall to 13 games back. Don't mortgage the farm (as has been done every year since 1998) to try and catch up to the Yankees. They're going to get twice what we get at the trade deadline; there's no way around it. Rather, go the opposite way: trade veterans for young talent. There are plenty of close races in the League, and you should be able to get some serious minor league or young major league quality for Nomar, Pedro, and Lowe. Get some young arms, get some prospects, and jettison some salary. Save money - have a war chest for 2005 or 2006 that can put us over the top. We don't have to pretend we're in it every year. If we do make an ill-fated run this year (which it will be if we're already 13 back in July), the negativity will just increase to a crescendo that will drive Nomar and Pedro out of town faster than a New York Yankee stealing second, no matter what you offer them. It's not time to throw in the towel yet, but it will be, and we can't wait until September to admit it.