During this off season, the Red Sox made every effort to rebuild this team. Not only in the numbers game and ability, but probably more importantly with character.

The organization rid itself of prima donnas. Opting instead to take the Bill James route with "good guys."

Not only do they have a core in David Ortiz and Jason Varitek - true clubhouse leaders - but Mike Lowell is a good team player and a competitor with something to prove; Josh Beckett plays with fire, passion; Alex Gonzalez realizes his role and is a defensive stud; Kevin Youkilis didn't whine about moving to first (He accepted the role change and was rewarded with more playing time); J.T. Snow has always been a stand up guy in the Bigs, willing to teach the young and take a back seat to Youkilis (a guy who never played first base in the majors); Dustin Mohr played the best of anyone in spring training but didn't cry about his backup role or whine when Wily Mo Pena took his spot on the depth chart.

If character means so much, and I believe it does, why keep David Wells?

Last night's outing is not the only reason I bring this to the forefront. As most know, I've never been a fan of Wells. But now there are even more reasons for my disdain.

Wells is selfish. He refuses to do any sort of rehab, although he did pitch one outing about five days ago to stay on schedule. How could one who was once an important piece of the team, simply choose not to rehab after knee surgery? I wonder what Curt Schilling must think of that.

So instead a regular season game, against an improved division rival, becomes his rehab. The Toronto Blue Jays tattooed him for seven runs in four innnings.

It's not so much that he was off the mark, although it was extremely frustrating to watch guys with 0-2 counts get hits. (Work the count for cripes sake).

It was more the attitude that he displayed. He didn't seem to care. He had nothing going for him. His curve, his signature pitch, was at best lackluster. There was no drive. He wasn't pushing off the mound with any vigor. He was just a blob out there tossing meatball after meatball to get his work in.

I hated it.

Then there is all the whining. He whined in the off season, demanding a trade. He whined in spring training. He whined when he was placed on the DL. I'm sure more whining is in his future.

He's had run ins off the field accompanied by weird injuries. And he's soon to turn 43.

Most fans that I've talked to today were undoubtedly disappointed, but willing to offer conditional forgiveness. Before 9:30 a.m., three people told me, "If he gets 12 wins, I'll be happy."

Happy? You'll be happy with 12 wins? Why? Couldn't the team get 12 wins from just about anyone?

Jon Papelbon could easily get us 12 wins. A look at the minors would suggest that Jon Lester could get us an easy 12 wins. You don't hear either of them whine about roles or playing time.

Come on people, raise the bar.

12 wins isn't that much. Both Jeremy Bonderman and Mike Maroth had 14 wins last year for the last place Tigers, a team that only won 71 games total. Even Colorado's Jeff Francis had 14 with an ERA of 5.68 and a WHIP of 1.62.

54 pitchers recorded more than 12 wins last year. Wells, to his credit, was one of them.

I will only be happy when Wells finds a new home.

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