It's all but official...

If the Sox fail to win the next two games of this series (a split will not suffice), then it's time to blow it up and be sellers. They have no chance of winning it all at this point, even if they manage to sneak in as the wildcard.

So what players have trade value? Derek Lowe, probably. Pedro, but I think he's not tradeable as a 10/5 guy. Nomar might be attractive to somebody looking to get over the hump. Maybe even Trot Nixon, who I'd prefer to keep. We need players who can either contribute in a year or so, or players that can be stockpiled for other deals to come next season.

This team, as constituted, simply cannot win. I don't think it's Francona's fault - as much as the Fellowship loves to bash him. This is just a team that has no sense of urgency, is overly relaxed, and has a surplus of guys who figure "screw it - I won't be here next year anyways". Some players are better when they're fighting for a contract, some are better when they have security. Our crop of free agents-to-be seem to be the latter.

There are a few players I'd consider untouchable, either for contract or value reasons. Schilling, Manny, Ortiz, Pokey, Wakefiield, and Foulke, for sure. Probably Mueller, Nixon, and Damon as well - Damon because he's overpaid, and the others for value reasons. I want to keep Varitek (as I've said before) as a cornerstone for at least another 3-4 years. I like Doug Mirabelli, but I could be convinced to bring Kelly Shoppach up for next season in his stead. I like Kevin Youkilis, and the money saved by bringing him up to the big club (and maybe moving Mueller back to second, where he's spent a lot of time in his career) could help pay for a name in the offseason.

My likely lineup card for next year (with backups):

C-Varitek (Mirabelli, Shoppach?)
1B- ?(Millar)
2B-Mueller (Bellhorn)
SS-Reese
3B-Youkilis
LF-Ramirez (Millar?)
CF-Damon
RF-Nixon (Kapler)
DH-Ortiz
SP-Schilling, Wakefield, Arroyo
RP-Timlin, Leskanic, Foulke, Embree

That leaves at minimum a starting first baseman to obtain, two starting pitchers, and more bullpen help. And Mike Timlin is as old as I am, so that's not going to last much longer. Embree throws a flat fastball, so he's a specialist at best. Either of them are replaceable.

So get started, Theo!