Nomar The North Sider

The Boston Red Sox finally did it. They moved shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to the Chicago Cubs as part of a four-team deal today. The Sox spent the winter trying to move Nomar and fill his spot with Alex Rodriguez. When the A-Rod deal fell through, Boston was left with a star so unhappy about his contract discussions and being shopped around that he was destined to test free agency at season's end.

Instead of letting the disgruntled star walk away without compensation, the Sox instigated today's move. In return for a player on a Hall of Fame pace, Boston got Doug Mientkiewicz and Orlando Cabrera. Two fine, steady players who may indeed help the Red Sox secure a playoff spot. However, right now, the winner of the deal appears to be the team Nomar went to.

The National League's version of the snake-bit Red Sox, the Cubs didn't move one player from their core and didn't injure their farm system and still acquired a player everyone considered one of the best three shortstops in the game twelve months ago. If Nomar decides the North Side is not to his liking and opts for free agency in three months, the Cubs have lost nothing.

If the Sox don't make a championship run or worse, don't make the playoffs, Sox general manager Theo Epstein will not be the wunderkid anymore. If Nomar thrives in whatever enviroment he lands in, Epstein has the chance of going Harry Frazee and Dan Duquette as men who let Boston icons get away.

Frazee committed the first sin, Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. Duquette thought Roger Clemens was done in 1996. Clemens has won three Cy Young Award since. Duquette also let Beantown favorite Mo Vaughn go, too. Both men, Frazee and Duquette, are villians in Red Sox Nation. Epstein put himself in their path just by taking the GM job. If this move backfires, Epstein will take a big leap towards joining these infamous Boston baseball men.

In the end, only time will tell which team was helped the most by today's deadline deals. The Cubbies are a long way from first (eleven games back). It would seem unlikely Nomar's arrival alone would move the North Siders that far up the standings. Nomar could also end up a rental property, if he doesn't like Chicago pinstripes.

The Twins traded Doug M. (forgive me for not typing his last name again) to open a lineup spot for one of my favorite young hitters, Justin Morneau. Their portion of the deal will pan out if Morneau is the real deal and if anyone they got can contribute later.

Forget the Expos portion of the swap. They are being run into the ground, but that's another post altogether. The Red Sox, however angry some in The Nation are at not getting more for Nomar, may benefit from this deal. Putting Pokey Reese and Doug M. on the field will help their defense about 50%. Nomar, for all of his gifts, is erratic with the glove. However, Reese will not hit. I don't mean not hit at Nomar's level. I mean not hit period. Cabrera can hit, but has been in a season long slump. Perhaps emerging from the Expos mess will enliven his bat.

Obviously, not one person knows how this will all work out. Everyone could win, everyone could lose. I do know that the judging on talent alone the Cubs are today's winners and, if the deal doesn't work out for them, they will have lost very, very little. That's called a win/win situation.