I've been a Theo Epstein supporter since his arrival to the Red Sox franchise. But when I look at this year's team and the lingering question marks for 2007, I have been starting to doubt the young mastermind.

I agreed with the Alex Gonzalez signing. I didn't mind seeing Bronson Arroyo turn into Wily Mo Pena. I agreed with not only acquiring Beckett, but even advocate the new contract. I was surprised but accepted the move of Nomar Garciaparra and even the Johnny Damon debacle (I still believe Damon lied).

But other moves have been more than questionable. Trading Edgar Renteria for Andy Marte for Coco Crisp. Now, I like Coco Crisp and still believe he will be fine, but if the plan was not to win in 2006, then I don't see why the Sox wouldn't have held on to Marte. Marte will be a stud.

And I've always questioned letting Pedro Martinez leave via free agency. I truly believe that the Sox had no intention of retaining him. Add the four-year demand by Pedro and things got ridiculous. Still, letting perhaps the best Red Sox pitcher slip into the night seemed a mistake.

Lately, Theo's foresight is proving itself in this arena also. Pedro once again got rocked and the injuries are beginning to take their toll on the once mighty righthander.

I feel badly for Pedro, but I feel a little better about Theo. He must have an in with Nostrodamus.

I wonder what other visions are in that crystal ball.

The season isn't over yet and I'm already looking forward to next year. Well, sort of.

I've been told that moves the organization made had nothing to do with winning this year. However, the moves had little to do with winning next year, either.

There are numerous holes yet to be filled. My team is in disarray and rumors are beginning to fly. Some sound familiar:
Hartford Courant: Rocket entertains thoughts of returning to Boston. Oh, please. Now, you're all going to think I'm crazy but there is no room for Clemens. I don't want Boston to pay top dollar for half a season for a big ?.

Trading Manny would certainly fix one issue. However, what are the Sox to do with the other vacant positions. But the Angels and any other possible team would have to give Boston a little more than a starter. Dallas McPherson doesn't cut it.

I was ready to publish a story on the MVP chase yesterday, but technical issues stopped production.

It's a good thing too. I was prepared to give the award to Minnesota's Justin Morneau, especially after reading Wednesday's Star Tribune article. I have given him props before.

I also made a case for his teammate Joe Mauer, who doesn't have near the stats but has maintained a solid approach to the season, leads the league in average and has called some pretty good games to get his team near the top of its division and the wild card race.

Mauer numbers aren't as good as the leadership he brings to that surging baseball organization. He has little power and has scored as many runs as he's knocked in (79).

But the 23-year-old catcher has been a catalyst most of the year. Toying with a .400 average for a large amount of the season and still leads the league in that category (.343)

He is also one of the reasons Johann Santana and Francisco Liriano have had such successful years.

He reminds me of a young Jason Varitek. He won't even get a vote but I assure you that the Twins players think very highly of him.

But that was all before I witnessed David Ortiz smacking his 50th home run, tying the Red Sox organizational record held by Jimmie Foxx.

It's hard to believe that 68 years have gone by since anyone on the Red Sox has hit 50. It couldn't have happened to a better player.

Ortiz leads the American League in that category as well as RBIs and is third in OPS.
He continues to make his case, but without a playoff appearance, it will be a tough case to prove.

On the 12th, the Boston Globe wrote Ortiz prowess stirs memories of Foxx.

In 1938 despite his team ending the season second to the New York Yankees, Jimmie Foxx won his third MVP Award. Along with those 50 home runs, he batted .349 and knocked in an astounding 175 runners.

Old "Double X" was indeed one of the best players of all time. Similar to Ortiz, he was known for his positive attitude, generosity and of course his power. No one hit it harder than "The Beast." Not even Big Papi.

And though I truly believe that an MVP should be on a playoff roster, precedent has been set. Perhaps Ortiz does have enough on his resume to be this year's MVP.

Speaking of successful years, Johann Santana is well on his way to another Cy Young. In fact, you could easily give it to him today. He leads the A.L. in strikeouts, wins, WHIP, batting average against, ERA and innings pitched. We'll all get a good look at the lefty tonight when he faces Boston.

In its preview of the weekend series, Newsday says it is no big deal. The Yankees have a commanding 11 1/2 game lead on the Sox in the standings afterall.

All eyes would usually be on the Yankees-Red Sox this weekend, but that just isn't the case.

While Yankee Stadium undoubtedly will be sold out and three of the four will be nationally televised, most fans have changed gears - watching college and professional football instead. Can't say I blame them.

But I am not most fans. I will not give up quite so easily. I have a wish list a mile long for the weekend series:

I want to see some redemption. That five-game sweep still stings.

I want them to do it with Wily Mo Pena, Dustin Pedroia, Manny Delcarmen and just about every other backup they can muster.

I want Johnny Damon to have four Ks in each game.

I want Derek Jeter to lose his MVP bid. I want to hear A-Rod whine and the fans jeer. And I want Hideki Matsui, well actually he's such a class act, I wish him no ill will.

I want Big Papi to remind New York just how important he is to the Nation, his team and baseball. I want to see the New York media portray him in a better light. Even Johnny Damon has come to Ortiz defense.

I want Josh Beckett to pitch a no hitter. If there were an award given for biggest disappointment, Beckett would be my man. Wait until next year!

I want Minnesota, Chicago and Los Angeles to lose all the remaining games.

I want drama.

And I do not want to see any brooms come Monday.

The New York Times calls Boston an also ran.

We'll see. This weekend provides the perfect opportunity to feed a team hungry for some success.

My wife tells me that I haven't been in the greatest of moods lately. Odd, I hadn't noticed.

"I'm tired," I told her, which in retrospect was the wrong thing to say, since she lies awake nightly feeding and changing the new one.

I tried a different approach..."Maybe the stress of building a house is finally getting to me. Or perhaps I'm suffering from season affective disorder - it is fall afterall."

Then I finally admitted, "The season is over."

"It's not the end of the world," she tried to reassure me.

And well she's right. But the admission still hurt.

To come so far right in the thick of it to then fall about these last four weeks has been quite the blow.

Yankees fans in these parts, and there are quite a few, have made a point to give me that precious little smile only they can deliver.

Their joy only twists the dagger.

In the midst of the latest six-game losing streak, the media has been trying desperately to make the news. The latest is a building controversy surrounding David Ortiz.

Once my pick for MVP, Ortiz, apparently has been misquoted or at the very least taken out of context.

The New York media specifically has taken Ortiz words about the MVP race and basically stated that Ortiz "dissed" Jeter.

Harsh words indeed.

Ortiz has tried to make things right by addressing the media and apologizing to Derek Jeter.

Jeter by all rights is indeed in the middle of this race, but Ortiz wasn't completely wrong saying that writers look at offensive stats. The truth is Jeter is still a longshot. The one thing he has going for him is that oh so helpful New York media.

There are two facts, Ortiz propelled the Sox to the top this year - single-handedly winning some key games. Fact 2: the Sox, much to my dismay, are no longer in the race.

You need to at least make the playoffs to get my vote, as if I get one. So right now all things being equal, I tip my hat to Justin Morneau. While the Twins have not made the playoffs, I truly believe they will. And one of the main reasons is Morneau.

So tonight, I again will sit in front of my team and watch my Sox. With nothing on the line, it's still pretty fun. Besides Tim Wakefield returns.

So, I have been pretty busy this past week catering to the needs of the newest Red Sox fan, my son, Luke Edward. He arrived on August 25 and until Monday, I've had very little opportunity to witness a game.

So needless to say the Sox went on a tailspin winning only 2 games during that stretch. Without Schilling, Lester, Papelbon, Ortiz, Wily Mo, Gonzo and Tek how were the Sox to compete?

It's a wonder they were able to win any games during that stretch.

But now that I'm again plastered to the television, Boston has taken two from Chicago. It's a start.

The correlation can not be more clear to me. I have to keep watching.
Now, most of Red Sox nation believes the chances of making the playoffs are gone. I still believe, though a miracle is needed, they still have an outside shot.

The team is now near full strength. Taking two from Chicago may be just what the doctor ordered.

Is it over? The writing is on the wall but by no means does it read "The End."

While the playoffs look like a longshot at best, I can't help but keep some hope that the rest of the league will falter. Ever the dreamer.

However, time is running out. And we need some significant help.

What makes the situation even more grim, Anibal Sanchez, who was traded in a deal that brought the Sox Josh Beckett, pitched a no-hitter last evening.