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I think your line about Ellsbury setting the table or doing the dishes is one of the better sentences ever written on this site.

Uh, umm, I'm not sure which "three" you're addressing but I'll resist the urge to be quiet ...

Ortiz is in trouble and he looks like an arthritic, overweight buddy of mine when he - Ortiz - lumbers down to first. And his bat looks a bit slower to me. Wrists, bat speed, timing - it's sorta all mashed together in a really intricate way so that only about 500 guys in the entire world are able to succeed more than 2 out of 10 times when facing another rarity - a MLB pitcher. Papi may have lady or family trouble in his life but his body looks like it's fading.

Ellsbury reminds me of every other young hot shot when he hits a rough patch - he's pressing and looking to work his way out of his troubles with one swing. As Cano or Melky or Texeira could tell him, it doesn't work that way unfortunately, it works with one swing at a time and it better be a swing at a ball that's going to be a called stike if you let it pass you by. No swinging at crap - do that and you get a lotta crap to swing at.

See you guys in September - we'll each surely be there - in the hunt.

I say the Sox go for broke and do what it takes to get Hanley Ramirez away from Florida. Florida has already bombed after their hot start and they have like 3/5ths of their former starting rotation on the dl or worse. Offer Buchholz, another pitching prospect (sadly it might take a Bowden or a Bard), a fielding prospect, Lugo (sell it as a savy vet with good BA) and lots and lots of cash and see what the Fish counter with. Getting HanRam would solve Theo's annual problem at SS, provide a legit 30/30 guy, and help ease Papi's problems for the Sox.

I think they will be making a move long before the deadline.

They have shown no hesitation to move beloved parts in the past.

My guess - someone like Holliday from Oakland. Underperforming in a different park (Oakland vs Colorado must seem like hitting from the bottom of the Grand Canyon) and in a contract year.

Mitchell, you "three" was directed at Beckett, Papelbon and Matsuzaka. I'm fairly certain they have this site as their homepage.

Jack, Hanley would be great. I think this past offseason, the idea of getting Hanley would have cost the Red Sox Buchholz and Ellsbury for starters. So that would plug one hole, but create another. No matter, I think Hanley is by far the best player in that deal and it might just give the Red Sox what they need.

Bl, I don't have too much fondness for Holliday. He was too much a creation of Coors. I think he is an ok hitter otherwise, but not the boffo hitter he was in CO. He'd look good in a Red Sox uni, but not for too much in return.

Ian - thank you for recognizing my genius...and my modesty.

Andy, agree with you on Holliday. Imo, he is a bit (albeit a small bit) overrated and was a product of his time in Colo. Plus, even tho we are somewhat saddled with Nancy Drew's contract, he is still gonna get time playing in RF and with Jaocby covering CF, I would prefer to sign Jason Bay to a long term deal and let Holliday go where he may.

I realize that the HanRam discussions last year started with Buchholz and Ellsbury but it seems they need pitching yet again this year and getting Buchholz (who was a damn site better this spring than last year and subsequently has more value) and either Bard or Bowden (perhaps it would take both) a Sox infield prospect (I know they have a good one, I just can't remember his name), and Lugo plus cash to pay his salary is a decent starting offer. Sox could even consider moving Lowrie in that deal in place of Lugo but I would prefer to keep him to replace Lowell in a couple years at 3B. HanRam could really solidify a young studly middle infield and with Youk at 1B and Lowell at 3B for one more this year and next, I like those odds. Theo just has to convince Florida it is a great deal for them and get it done. I really believe Theo has to think outside the box here for a good trade and avoid "settling" for a Holliday or Miggy Cabrerra if they could even get either of them since they are gonna have to move or sit somebody who is playing well to ok (Holliday replacing Drew, Ellsbury or Bay depending on who gets traded or benched) and Cabrerra ostensibly replacing Youk and 1B, Youk moving to 3B and Lowell being the odd man out in that deal. Heck, I don't know, but I would love to see HanRam's bat, defense, and speed in the Sox lineup. Theo's has to be creative.

.250 and some power, especially in Fenway is better than .203 and zero power...harsh, you bet. Produce or be cast aside.

I take everything back!

Papi hit a HR!

woohoo, now get another one tomorrow!

That was nice to see. I wasn't sure how he'd react, but he was so happy and did the old curtain call.

Glad he got that double late in the game as it followed a strikeout. Good to end the game on a high note.

One game does not a season make, but I'm just hoping he can build on this.