ESPN's Rob Neyer has picked the Yankees to win the division. Rob, why in the world would you make such a statement? I mean New York only has a six-game lead in the standings.

Perhaps it was seeing one of the most pathetic games in the history of the rivalry. I too am starting to question the Red Sox chances. However, I have not given up.

I found Derek Lowe's attitude even worse than the errors and missed opportunities. I do not need to see Lowe visibly blaming Nomar on the field after an error. He displayed lousy sportsmanship. Who is he to get upset at Nomar? I didn't see his teammates blaming him for his poor performances earlier this season. Dave Wallace, the pitching coach, had to make a visit to the mound in order to calm Lowe down. Truly pathetic.

The New York papers are having a field day with Tuesday's loss. The New York Post calls the Sox "rotten". And the New York Times points out that the Sox are a second rate team with its headline: With bridesmaids back, the Yankees use their help. Embarrassing. The Red Sox have given the media too much ammo.

I've been saying it all along. Defense, defense defense. That's one of the reasons we acquired Pokey Reese. Yet the Red Sox have allowed more unearned runs than any team in baseball.

They have a great defensive first baseman in David McCarty, who also displayed some "pop" in spring training, but continue to play Kevin Millar.

Mark Bellhorn at third, I don't think so. Where's Bill Mueller anyway? According to the Boston Herald, he may return by Friday.

Speaking of return. It's time to return to fund-a-mentals. Get your head sback in the game. The Providence Journal's Sean McAdam says now is the time to show what the team is made of. I have to agree. Where is the heart this team displayed earlier in the year, when they had a four-game lead over the Yankees?

Management's philosophy has got to change. Manny and Ortiz will supply the needed power in the middle of the lineup. The rest of the team needs to be able move into scoring position. This team is too slow-footed.

Changes have got to be made in order to contend. Heck, the Devil Rays are only four games behind the Sox right now. The freakin' Devil Rays! Tampa Bay has a legitimate chance to take second place in the AL East. I'm not kidding. That's sad.

Speaking of the Devil Rays. Tampa Bay's bench coach Don Zimmer has written a book about his baseball days. The New York Times has an article today (Wednesday) previewing the book, in which the Zimmer-Martinez "bout" is duscussed. Zimmer blames himself for last year's squirmish. I do too. Finally we agree.

So what are the Sox to do? By now, every Sox fan has heard the rumors which have Nomar being traded. I must say that it may be time to entertain this idea, but only if Nomar truly doesn't want to re-sign. If indeed that is the case, and I believe that it is, Boston should try to get something that will get us that all-elusive championship. Perhaps Nomar for Randy Johnson. We definitely should try to get pitching help. Check out Boston.com's "The Buzz" to find out who's supposedly on the block. ESPN has its own ideas of what may happen before the trading deadline in its Rumor Central.

The Sox should also reduce payroll by moving Millar, Ellis Burks, Kevin Youkilis, and Gabe Kapler to anyone that will take them. These guys are virtually the same. All are expendable. The Sox need more versatility, more athleticism. I say Cowboy, out!

MLB.com reports "Sox look to Wake up" Wednesday. Tim Wakefield will go up against the Yankees and Jon Leiber. Believe it or not, I like the Red Sox chances. ESPN's Buster Onley analyzes the series.

Reader comments: Who would you be willing to trade if it meant a championship and who would you want to remain on the winning team?

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