It looks as though Theo Epstein will stay with the Boston Red Sox for at least the next three years. This, according to the Boston Globe and the Boston Red Sox official site. A formal announcement however has yet to be made.

I like the fact that Epstein is staying on but why only three years? I mean he's only going to get better. If I were the team I would be locking him up for at least five. I mean Notre Dame locked up Charlie Weis for 10 and he's 49 and hasn't got the Fighting Irish a bowl game yet. I said yet. Esptein at 31 is already in Red Sox folklore after bringing Boston and Red Sox Nation its first title in 86 years.

At least the biggest piece of the 2006 puzzle is in place. The picture is a little clearer, but many situations cloud the scene at Fenway.

Where will Manny go? He has reportedly asked for a trade and as a 10-5 guy, he can pick his destination. He also according to a sports radio show threatened a no-show if he did not get his wish.

Now, before all this happened I talked to friends about whether the Sox should trade Manny. My belief, trading Manny would be like trading Babe Ruth all over again. He has certainly put up Ruthian numbers and is well on his way to the Hall of Fame.

However, now that he has asked for a trade and has made his threat, Theo's first job is a doozy: Find a deal that works. The task will not be easy under the circumstances. Now that the trade demand has been leaked, teams may get the impression they can low-ball the offers.

The rumors have been tossed around now for some time. One would have to think that a deal would involve the Mets. (Is Pedro again behind all this?)
Now, if the rumors are true, Boston would undoubtedly have to get something for the RBI-machine. Carlos Beltran is a good option but perhaps not thhe best option - at least not by himself.

If I were the Sox, Beltran would be at least my third option on the Mets.
First, I'd ask about third baseman David Wright. I would assume to be shot down quickly. I suspect the 23-year-old to be untouchable. He put up some really nice numbers (27HR, 42 doubles, .306, 102 RBI, 99 runs and 17 stolen bases) in only his second major league year. I can see the Sox trading for him straight up. He is the only guy I can see giving a little protection to David Ortiz.

If not Wright, I would then discuss Jose Reyes. He's the 22-year-old second baseman/shortstop who would fill the leadoff role nicely (assuming Johnny Damon isn't returning). He only hit .277 but scored 99 runs and stole 60 bases. He also showed his speed by leading the major leagues with 17 triples. He played some pretty good defense. His fielding percentage was a solid .974 while playing shortstop better than that of Miguel Tejeda and Micheal Young.

Beltran's numbers declined as member of the Shea squad in 2005, struggling with a new league. I would expect his numbers to improve, but he is questionable. If I couldn't get something more than this 28-year-old centerfielder than I would think twice about any deal, even if it meant Manny was sitting in his apartment pouting.

The Manny situation is just an added bonus. There are still situations at third, first, second and centerfield. Not to mention the starting rotation and bullpen.

Good luck, Theo, you'll need it. I only wish we had a better welcome wagon for you.

The phone calls didn't start until Sunday. "Are you all right?" "Still mourning?"

Rest assured everyone; I'm fine. In fact, I'm not depressed at all. I'm relieved. It's hard work being a Red Sox fan.

I no longer have to stay up nights and worry about the Yankees.

I now get a break from the nightly, three-hour ritual of cheering and jeering. My stress level should now level off a bit.

Surprising? Maybe. But this year's team wasn't like last year's. Expectations may have been high but the tools to do the job were never in place.

The Boston Herald takes a look at the up and down season.

What went wrong? Well, there were a number of holes in 2005.

Starting with pitching, pitching and more pitching.

All right everyone, it's time to let up on Tony Graffanino. In the New York Times, "should the Red Sox lose the American League division series with the White Sox, their fans will have another name to curse".

MSNBC.com calls Graffanino's error "Buckner-like". The NY Post's Kevin Kernan says that Graffanino now "knows what it is like to live in Bill Buckner's shoes."

Graffanino has been a fine addition to this ballclub - giving it much needed stability at second base. He has been far superior over Mark Bellhorn, yes, even defensively (only three errors since joining the club). He has shown knowledge of the game, better than average range - and has hit extremely well during his time with the Sox (.319).

Why then are fans throwing him under the bus? Was the blunder that terrible? Yes, it may have cost three runs, but the game? I think not. Heck, there were many chances for the Sox to regain the lead, including a lead-off double by Graffanino himself.

The Boston Herald says Error puts the Red Sox in familiar hole. If so familiar than Boston should know how to get out of it.

Foxsports' Ken Rosenthal says its difficult to see Sox rallying this time. Why's that? They've done it two years in a row and have enough ammo to do it again.

I say, we should embrace Graffanino and hope that we can again sign him for cheap money in the offseason. That way we can spend the rest to either get Johnny Damon back and/or a big first baseman with a bat, say, Paul Konerko.

The Hartford Courant says that Graffanino is handling the fallout.

As he should - hopefully with his head high and a smile on his face.

Why blame the loss on one play? I'm sick of the Buckner comparisons. Sox fans should be ashamed if they are bringing back old curses.

Besides we all know it was Bob Stanley who messed it up in 1986.