Well, I'm glad to see that Manny has at least included the Angels and Seattle in his request. To me, the list seems rather short and most certainly ties the Sox hands.

Letting Manny go is like moving Babe Ruth, but I am okay with it. I understand the inner workings a bit more. I understand the need to get younger, cheaper.

Sending him to a AL contender is not ideal, but at least it's not the Yankees.

I have heard the news and Boston.com confirms: Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez to the Florida Marlins for Mike Lowell and Josh Beckett.

A first I was a little shocked. But after thinking about this more thoroughly, the deal makes sense.

• The starting rotation is improved dramatically. Even with his blister woes, Beckett becomes the No. 1 starter - yes, even ahead of Curt Schilling.
• Defense is improved at the hot corner, believe it or not. Lowell a boasting a .983 fielding percentage - better than any other third baseman in Major League Baseball.
• The organization shows its fans that it is serious about putting a competitive team on the field.

Now some may think that we are giving up too much, but two prospects (Ramirez and Sanchez) is equal value for a 25-year-old veteran stud pitcher like Beckett. Beckett could conceivably be in Boston for quite awhile. To make it work, the Red Sox have got to sign this kid to a long-term, big-time contract. Pitchers don't usually reach their prime until they are 29, so look for the Sox to offer at least a five-year deal very soon.

Beckett also has to be tougher. In Boston, he will be placed in a spotlight that will highlight his every flaw. He'll have to find a way to cure his blisters and quickly. Last year he showed much promise in handling the issue, but still ended up missing a few starts.

Mike Lowell offensive decline raises some question marks. In 1999, Lowell burst on the scene posting 12 HR in 97 games. In 2000, he became the everyday third baseman and, at 26 years old, hit 22 HRs and 91 RBIs. In 2001, he did 18 and 100; 2002: 24 and 92; 2003: 32 and 105; 2004: 27 and 85. Then the wheels came off.

Something happened between 2004 and 2005. He played in nearly every game last year but finished with only eight home runs and 58 RBIs. His totals were in fact lower than those of Bill Mueller. He also hit a career low .236.

It seems odd that a the Red Sox would take on such a huge contract for a defensive-minded 32-year-old. But that's the price of pitching. Some speculate that Lowell will be gone before being offered a uniform, but I think most teams would shy away from his contract.

If Lowell does stay (which I believe he will) a domino effect will take place.

I've been hearing for a couple of years now how great Hanley Ramirez was going to be. I went to Sea Dogs' games to get a glimpse of his talent. Defensively he rocks; offensively he still needs some work. He seems to also lack maturity, that's expected when you are almost 22.

After all the hype, I'm disappointed but not surprised that I will not see him play professionally for the Sox. I never thought he was the greatest fit for Boston anyway.

What's to become of Bill Mueller (a true baseball player and the best No. 8 hitter in the game)? He'll most likely be gone. I'll miss his professionalism.

What will become of Kevin Youkilis? Will he move to first? Sit on the bench another year as a back-up infielder? Is he now on the block?

Can we somehow work the deal to include Carlos Delgado?

So who needs a GM? Provided Beckett becomes long-term Bostonian this deal will go down as one of the best in the history of the franchise. While not quite on the same level as Heathcliff Slocumb for Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek, it is still very good.

A couple of more deals like this and I may actually learn to love this team like it was 2004.

In my family, we have had our differences. Most families do.
When I was younger I placed my folks in some awkward situations - I ran up phone bills, stayed out too late, even cracked up a car or two.

With my brother I argued over who was going to be the Red Sox or Angels, who would steal the cookies from the jar, and who was going to marry first.

These arguments were eventually resolved through a series of negotiations, concessions and apologies.

I imagine the Red Sox organization to be much like most families.

Sure they have their problems, but in the end they share some pretty common values. It's those values that tie the organization.

Rumor has it Boston's Favorite Son (Theo Epstein) wants to return. He has said some things that I'm sure Dad (John Henry) and his Eldest Brother (Larry Lucchino) didn't much appreciate. If he is interested in returning then everyone may have to swallow some pride and welcome the kid home.

Afterall, Epstein is the best person for the job. Besides, the Bostonist says no one else wants it.

The fact that some good baseball minds are not interested in the job, scares me. First Kevin Towers wasn't interested. Then J.P. Ricciardi, Brian Sabean didn't want to interview. Now according to the Boston Globe, Dayton Moore is opting to stay in Atlanta.

As the days pass Epstein's replacement comes with weaker and weaker credentials. The Boston Herald writes GM bungling leaves brass empty-handed. The delay in finding that replacement may also postpone deals that must be made in order to fill out the 40-man roster. The winter meetings are only days way.

What's wrong with this situation?

One would think people would be lining out the door for a chance to manage a club with a rather large payroll, deep minor league system and history.

Sure whoever takes the job will be walking into a tough situation (Manny's trade request, free-agents signings and a weak rotation). That's the job. And with the many question marks, the new GM would be putting his own stamp on the team. A situation I would welcome.

It is highly unlikely Epstein will return. How could the stakeholders save face?

As a fan, I don't care about who comes out smelling like a rose. I don't care who's fault it was/is. As a fan, I only care about putting a quality, competitive team on the field day in day out. And of course beating the Yankees.

That quality starts with Theo.

Speaking of the Yankees... Has anyone looked at their coaching staff? Wow, this is a who's who in baseball: Third base coach Larry Bowa, First base coach Tony Pena, Bench coach Lee Mazzilli, Bullpen coach Joe Kerrigan, Pitching coach Ron Guidry and of course the two mainstays hitting coach Don Mattingly and manager Joe Torre. Wow!

More on these guys later...

If I had just waited a little while, I could have saved myself some embarassment.

ESPN reports that A-Rod has won the AL MVP Award.

Man this is terrible. Not only does David Ortiz miss winning the MVP by 24 points. A-Rod gets a bonus of $1 million. What a bummer considering the guy already makes a cool $25 million-a-year.

Where is the justice.

It would appear the difference was one lone vote for Angels' outfielder, Vladimir Guerrero.

Give me a break. I like Vlady but 2005 MVP? No way.

His numbers do not come close to Ortiz, or A-Rod for that matter. Ortiz has 24 more runs, 15 more hits, 11 more doubles, 15 more home runs, 40 more RBIs.

Wow! Outrageous!

That West Coast writer (I have little doubt) must be a loyal guy.

The debate for the AL MVP rages on, but a decision is supposed to be reported today. Most believe it comes down between Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz.

I'm sure most of you know which camp I reside in. While the numbers may suggest a virtual tie, I beg to differ.

I honestly think there really is no debate.

Compare their numbers late in the game or when the game was close.

(neither player scored a triple; each stole a base)

Based on these numbers how could anyone suggest that A-Rod is more valuable than Ortiz?

Yankee fan, you can forget the defense argument too. I don't care how many runs A-Rod saved. I would argue that Ortiz saved just as many NOT playing the field. A-Rod also had 12 errors, Ortiz 2. Besides, I've never heard of a MVP Award going to the best defensive player - they have Gold Gloves for that friends.

A-Rod already has earned a few of these awards. He will have more chances as well. But Ortiz may never have a better opportunity than today.

Opposing pitchers feared him.

His teammates delighted when getting a second chance.

His late inning heroics in 2004, sparked the greatest comeback in the history of sport.

And fans, well, we simply love the guy.

We in Red Sox Nation have been spoiled. It's time to spoil the Most Valubale Papi.

So here we are Day 2 without a GM. Why is it everytime I read or think about a Boston sports team the theme of "Days of Our Lives" pops into my head?

It's a little unbearble - the melody and the drama that always seems to linger.

Theo Epstein has scheduled a news conference at 1 p.m. Everybody is anticipating some enlightenment, but it will never happen. Epstein is too much the professional to get into the many details about his decision. He'll undoubtedly say it is both a professional and personal decision and ultimately right for the team.

And we will all sit and stare at our televisions still wondering what happened and what is going to happen to our beloved Red Sox.

One of the biggest problems: a reporter (Dan Shaughnessy) has become a major part of the story. I agree with the Sports Guy (ESPN's Bill Simmons) who questions the timing of Shaughnessy's "hideous" column and what appears to be a conflict of interest with the Red Sox ownership and that of the Boston Globe. Whenever a reporter becomes the story things get ugly, just ask Judith Miller.

Simmons also says that Theo is overrated, a position I do not subscribe to.

Don't believe everything you hear or read for that matter. That's just one of the lessons I learned this morning.

When I heard the news at 4:15 a.m. I had to first make sure that I was not still sleeping. Then I checked my calendar to make sure I didn't wake up on April 1.

I was awake and it's Nov. 1. Bummer.

It would appear that I jumped the gun Monday when announcing Theo Epstein's three-year contract. You see, according to the Boston Herald, none exists.

I thought the contract talks were a mere formality, a slam dunk. Yes, they were taking too long and rumors were flying, but I put them out of my mind. Epstein HAD to return.

And when the Boston Globe and Major League Baseball and ESPN hinted at a deal, I wanted to believe it. I had no reason not to.

I was complaining that three years wasn't enough, now I'll take one.

Epstein and his mentor Larry Lucchino must have had some sort of falling out.

What happened? A power struggle? Did ownership feel like they were being railroaded into a deal? Did Epstein feel he wasn't getting proper respect? Was Epstein being a whiny brat? Was ownership treating him like a child?

Did no one think about the ramifications on the 2006 season? Did no one think of Red Sox Nation?

As I said yesterday, Epstein is already a legend in Boston. He has to be one of the most respected GMs ever in this region, if not in baseball. How do you let the guy who brought you a title go? I truly don't get it.

This was already going to be a crucial offseason. With the winter meetings right around the corner and the Sox looking like Swiss cheese, now was not the time to let the young, talented Epstein go.

I'm absolutely scared to think that he will find his way in another team's front office making deals to screw Boston a year from now. He will be highly sought after for sure. Without him, the Sox will have a hard time mending their wounds.

Though I shouldn't be, I sit here in shock.

Reader comments: Who could fill Theo Epstein's shoes? What does this mean for the Red Sox?