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This one makes me SICK. No-trade clause not waived BUZZ FACTOR -- Low: The Mariners designated the struggling Olerud for assignment Thursday, which means he could be probably had for a bargain-basement price. However, the Sox are unlikely to make a play for him. According to the Newark Star-Ledger, the Yankees might pursue him as a backup WHAT THE HELL DO THE YANKEES NEED A THIRD FIRST BASEMAN FOR? (i wrote it all in caps because it makes me that angry). The Lowe-down BUZZ FACTOR -- Low: We found this tidbit from Nick Cafardo in Friday's Boston Globe revealing: "There are enough scouts in the stands to read the tea leaves. Lowe is available now in the right deal." ... New York Newsday reported Monday that the Mets' flirtation with Lowe might be short-lived because the price might be too high after Lowe rebounded with a strong showing this weekend. If Lowe gets traded.....who starts for the Sox? Last updated: 7/16 Standing pat? BUZZ FACTOR -- Medium: According to the Boston Herald, Theo and the Trio don't feel any urgency to make a big splash before the July 31 trading deadline. One AL executive told the newspaper that GM Theo Epstein is holding firm on his plans to rebuild the organization from within rather than trading away the Sox' best prospects. There's still obviously a chance they could make a move, but it's just as likely to be for a player who can help more in the future than this season. One source who is familiar with the status of ongoing trade talks throughout baseball told the Herald that there is only a 10 percent chance that the Sox will be making a move over the next two weeks. 10%?!? This team is floundering....Kevin Millar is NOT an everyday player. Derek Lowe is not a championship caliber starter. The bullpen is not up to par. This team IS NOT performing....Why stand pat?

An article updated today: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1840380 OK, ESPN's been saying we don't have a shot from the beginning, but now the Red Sox seemingly have given up (according to the article) and the Cubbies are expected to go after Cabrera.

New management, same old crap. Pushing the stars away. Boggs, Clemens, Vaughn, Dwight Evans, Fred Lynn...the list goes on and on. Please, Boston media and ownership. STOP. I admit I was calling for Nomar's head when he struggled like everyone else, and it was a mistake. At the time, the Sox were playing poorly and it was easy to blame him. I really hope that somehow this can be patched up and we can have the passionate Nomar who loves Boston, loves Fenway Park, and strives to win it all as a Red Sox. I hope Nomar retires in Boston...but for the love of pete....Nomar, accept a fair contract offer when you recieve one!

Yep. They could use another solid reliever (who knows when Williamson will be back?), and it kills me to see Millar playing the outfield. They need to fix that, quickly. Millar should be a cheerleader (bench coach, anyone?) but he simply DOES NOT cut it defensively in the outfield. Kapler's fine...but NO MORE MILLAR out there....If you have to trade for someone better, do it. But I don't want to see him out there.

Francona's decisions ALWAYS backfire. It was smart to pull Lowe. He was fried after throwing 117 pitches. Bringing in Embree as a lefty specialist....has NEVER worked. In fact, in 2004, lefties are hitting BETTER against Embree than righties (.233 to .227). In a 2-1 game, bringing in a reliever to stop the bleeding was a good idea. I'm not sure Embree was the best idea. Earth to Theo/Terry: Embree IS NOT a lefty specialist!

Pedro's telling the press he's "In a happy state of mind." Didn't Pedro do his best pitching when he WASN'T talking to the press... argh. Anyway, the Red Sox have GOT to turn around. Last night was UGLY.

There's a lot of elecricity at a game in Fenway park. The players feel that. It's the same in New York, and maybe a few other places (Philly, STL I hear) but other places take a more passive attitude. I've only been to two stadiums (Fenway, and Olympic Stadium in Montreal) and while I realize Montreal is probably the WORST, there's such a huge difference between the fans in Montreal and Boston. It's gotta be hard to motivate yourself playing in front of 5,000 fans (at most) who are just passing time until hockey starts. I hope Pedro stays. I hope Nomar stays (his attitude has been fine lately). I think people like Shea Hilenbrand realize how special it is to play in Boston AFTER leaving.

I think it seems more and more likely that no deal will happen. I don't think the Red Sox REALLY are trading Nomar, I think there's a lot of speculation happening. Unless Anaheim is bluffing (which is possible), I don't think a deal will happen. Arizona isn't desperate to move Randy, and unless something big happens...it just doesn't seem that the teams with the talent to make a trade are willing to do so. Call me crazy, say what you will. My prediction: Randy Johnson stays in the dessert. And honestly, as long as he doesn't end up in pinstripes, I'm OK with that.

Alright. I gotta talk for a minute on Terry Francona. I didn't want to do this last night because I get emotional after a Red Sox loss and say things like "Trade Nomar," or "Fire Francona!" I've had some time to think about it, and I really don't understand the logic for starting Lowe last night. The team needed a win to start the second half, to boost confidence, show the fans their turning it around, etc. What does Francona do? He starts the MOST inconsistant starter on the team. That's not a way to win. He's looking more and more like Jimy Williams every day. He coddles the stars, and they walk all over him. Sure, they love him, but they don't win baseball games. Shouldn't there be a point when he says, "No, you can't take a long vacation," or "If you can't play the day before the All-Star game, or the day after, why do you play in it? The All-Star game is fun, but we've got a pennant to win." It's just really frustrating to see this team play so poorly and so inconsistently. Now it's not all Terry's fault, but I have lost my faith in his leadership abilities.

I think Trot didn't start because it was against a lefty. Embree flat-out sucked last night. I sorta understand bringing in the specialist with (at that point) 2 outs and a 2-1 deficit because if he gets the out it's still a close game.....BUT Embree exploded.

You're underestimating the power of money. Steinbrenner will get a pitcher before July 31st.

I can't even say anything I'm so pissed right now. 8-1 angels. I'm going to bed....with dreams of Randy Johnson. Hey Francona...way to get the team off to a good start in the second half by starting your best pitcher *******.

nomah, YES. Vladi's awesome game WAS the same game Pedro pitched. I don't think Pedro gave up all nine runs though. The game's about to start...it's been a long 3 days without baseball.

nomah, I agree with moving Youk down, he deserves to play every day....However, I don't understand bringing Mendoza up...i thought he was hurt still?!? I missed the Theo part of thepregame...

Crespo, I'm just saying....not everything you hear is true. I agree that the Sox have a shot at getting him...but it's a sticky situation and even if the Sox can work day and night to agree on a trade...Johnson could veto it. Keep in mind, that Steinbrenner will do EVERYTHING in his power to prevent a Randy Johnson in Boston scenario. I don't know how he'll do it, but the Red Sox WILL NOT acquire Johnson or any impact player without the Yankees at least trying to stop it from happening. As I've said before, he's done it before...

I agree with you Crespo...the man is a free agent after the year, Baltimore isn't competing this year, he's done nothing to show he's ready to play at a competitive level in the majors.... Are they going to showcase him to potential trade partners? It would be really crappy if he blew some games for us in that process...

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/sea/news/sea...r_sea&fext=.jsp From this article, it says the Mariners have 10 days to trade, assign to the minors, or release John Olerud. I really doubt they'll pay him to play in the minors... Expect San Fransisco to make another offer, and maybe since Olerud realizes he's not wanted...maybe he'll go to SF just so he can play....

Crespo, I think we're going to have to pretty much take EVERYthing we hear with a grain of salt, because ESPN is reporting that Johnson wants to go to the Yankees, and ONLY the Yankees. ESPN is out of Connecticut, so I don't blame them for being biased. The Red Sox don't have the prospects to make a deal happen either....otherwise they wouldn't be talking about moving Nomar. Does it piss anyone else off that every time Nomar gets comfortable again they bring up trade rumors? He was just starting to get back into a groove....now who knows how he'll produce. I hope this deal either gets killed soon, or goes through soon. For Nomar's sake, he can't keep going through this crap.

Well this puts to rest the other rumers swirling about this being a roster juggling move right before a trade....

Maybe I missed it, but where does it say they officially released Olerud? All I saw was "on the way out" EDIT: Above was my original post. I'll leave it... It surprised me to learn that the Mariners had already released Aurilia, AND that they had attempted to deal Olerud to San Fransisco. I think (please correct me if this is incorrect) this is how it works: They can designate him for purpose of his release. That gives all 30 teams a chance to claim him (in order of worst to best) and pay the rest of his contract. If someone claims him, he goes to that team. If nobody claims him, he becomes a free agent. Seattle must have to pay some sort of buyout fee (unless they did already?) This could be off the wall...I'm just guessing from what I've heard in the past. Regardless, we know at least 2 teams will be interested in Olerud's services...San Fransisco and Boston. The Red Sox have been looking for an upgrade at first for a month now (or more) and Olerud's name has popped up many times. I would imagine he decided he didn't want to play in San Fransisco (because he vetoed a deal) so if he becomes a Free Agent, why would he then sign there? For that matter, why would he want to come to Boston? (maybe he likes the AL?) This is interesting. I expect Theo to at least look into it.

I just realized the game tonight starts @ 10...so pre-game starts at 9:30. I'll post if I hear anything.

Trot, I'm waiting for SOMEone from the Red Sox to make a comment on this move.....because it's a fairly major move I think. I'll listen to the "Front Office Report" on WEEI tonight (Theo always talks for about 2 minutes) and hopefully he'll comment. (That wont be till late tonight though) If he does, and it's important, I'll post it here.

Trot, as I stated above, I agree with you again. The moneyball theory doesn't win championships...and isn't that what the Red Sox/Athletics etc are gunning for?!?

All I got is this short little article from boston.com http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/reds...emote_youkilis/ Can't find anyone else reporting the story.

Trot, I agree with you for the most part. Most of the time, these "close sources" turn out to be full of B.S. From what Johnson is saying, though, it seems the Yankees players are heavily recruiting: about A-Rod "Maybe he'll take me out to dinner, or watch my kids so I can take my wife out to dinner" About Schill "He must leave a lot of messages" (implying perhaps he hasn't heard). Regardless, I doubt Johnson dislikes Schilling enough to veto a trade to Boston for that reason. I think it's gunna come down to what deals Arizona can actually make, and it seems like the Yankees or Red Sox are going to HAVE to include a third team in order to make something happen. I think all this talk of Johnson preferring the Yankees started out of a New York paper....probably not a coincidence.