Freese-Tried

Former Red Sox Scouting Director Jason McLeod (now with Theo in Chicago) reveals that Boston tried to sign World Series MVP David Freese in the 2006 draft. Because of complications with his status, the deal was nixed by MLB. Instead, the Sox signed Ryan Kalish.

Marco 'No-Low'

The Red Sox exercised their 2012 team option and signed Marco Scutaro to a $6 million deal. The 36-year old SS had a $3 million player option that he likely would have eschewed for a run at free agency. Scutaro did have a more than decent 2011—hitting .299—but one has to wonder if there weren't better, younger, cheaper options out there to hold the fort until Iglesias is ready. Hey, that's why Lucchin....er....Cherington gets the big bucks.

Carlos Beltran To Red Sox?

SI.com's Jon Heyman is reporting that the Red Sox have shown interest in 34-year old outfielder Carlos Beltran to play right field. With J.D. Drew gone and the "silver dust twins" (Reddick and Kalish) their only options, Boston might need a non-lefty right fielder (Beltran is a switch-hitter) to stabilize the position for a couple of years. Beltran has never really fulfilled his potential as a superstar, although he did have a bounce-back 2011—hitting .300, with 22 HRs and 84 RBIs.

FN Poll: Best 'Short List' Manager?

Please vote in the latest FenwayNation Poll, which asks: "Among the short list candidates for Red Sox manager, who should be chosen?" VOTE HERE.

The Short List

Despite the subterfuge of "10-15" candidates for the Red Sox managerial job, you can probably count the real contenders on one hand. Various sources indicate that the search is down to:

1.) Rays bench coach Dave Martinez

2.) Indians first base coach Sandy Alomar, Jr.

3.) Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin

4.) Blue Jays first base coach Torey Lovullo

5.) Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux

You can pretty much bet that one of these men will be the new skipper of your Olde Towne Team.

Youk Likely Staying

Despite rampant trade rumors to the contrary, it appears that the Red Sox are committed to keeping Kevin Youkilis. WEEI's Alex Speier points out that, prior to his injury, Youkilis was among the best offensive third baseman in baseball. Even with the lost second half of 2011, he finished with 80 RBI and an OPS of over .800. The most important factor, however, is the significant payroll flexibility Youkilis offers—as well as protection if David Ortiz leaves the DH spot open.

Larry L: Sox Skeptical Of FAs

In a wide-ranging and often combative interview on WEEI's Dennis & Callahan Morning Show, Red Sox President & CEO Larry Lucchino suggested that the embattled 2011 team did not need a major overhaul—citing the fact that they were 30 games over .500 on September 1st.

He also made it clear that he (and it's pretty clear who is in charge now) will be a little more gun-shy of big-ticket free agency. He also expressed a desire to keep both David Ortiz and Jonathan Papelbon—the two big free-agents from the current team.

Lucchino got into multiple verbal scrums with Gerry Callahan, particularly over a recent column critical of Sox owner John Henry. All in all, good commuting radio on a morning when the term "black ice" haunted Hub motorists.

BenCher Speaks (Again)

In a wide-ranging interview on 98.5 The Sports Hub's Felger And Mazz Show, new Red Sox General Manager Ben Cherington (christened "BenCher" by FN Editor Bill Collins) opined on the following:

• He stated that his management style "will be different from Theo's"—primarily because he relies on input from a wide range of 'empowered' colleagues, with the implication that Theo did not;

• He will look for a 'balance' between objective (read: stats) and subjective (read: scouts) analysis;

• He said he supported the Lackey signing, saying it was part of the search for (wait for it) 'run prevention';

• He said Kalish and Reddick will 'compete' for the RF job—along with a mystery player who will be right-handed;

• He said he was not aware of beer drinking during games in the clubhouse, but did know that some pitchers imbibed after a start;

• He defended Beckett as "one of the best pitchers in the American League this year" and said he was confident that he still had the fire in the belly to compete and win;

• He said that Daniel Bard had "enough talent" to pitch in different roles (read: they are seriously considering him for the rotation).

Carsten To Charles?

The New York Daily News is reporting that John Lackey's imminent "Tommy John" elbow surgery is intensifying Red Sox interest in big Yankee left-hander C.C. Sabathia. Due to an opt-out clause in his contract, Sabathia can field free-agent interest from other teams this off-season.

Clearly, landing C.C. would be a huge feather in the cap of new Sox GM Ben Cherington—getting one of the most durable starters in the game and sticking it to our bitterest rival at the same time. Not to mention shoring up a rotation with at least two holes for 2012.

(CREDIT: New York Daily News Photo Illustration)

FN Poll: How To Fill Rotation?

Please vote in the latest FenwayNation Poll, which asks: 'Now that Lackey is gone for 2012, do we fill the two open rotation spots internally or externally?" VOTE HERE.

Lackey To Have Tommy John

Poor Ben Cherington! First Theo's big Chicago press conference overshadowed his 3PM version. Then, he has to announce that John Lackey will be getting Tommy John surgery and likely miss the entire 2012 season.

'Every opportunity to win sacred.'

As Red Sox fans have painfully learned over the last four years, chances at championships do not grow on trees. At Theo Epstein's introductory press conference in Chicago, he used this theme to set out his vision for leading the Chicago Cubs out of their 103 year drought. "Every opportunity to win is sacred."

He was also careful to leaven that desire to win every year with the realistic need to plan for the future. As he put it, "We also need to build a foundation for long-term success." That's what he did in Boston—leaving a "player-development" machine for Ben Cherington to nurture. That's likely what he will deliver for Cubs fans as well.

Whether that results in breaking the curse is another matter. It will be fun to watch.

Theo's Farewell

Finally, someone with a modicum of honesty and class: here's Theo's good-bye to the fans, in today's Boston Globe.

Lackey May Need Tommy John

WEEI.com's Rob Bradford is reporting that John Lackey is visiting Dr. Lewis Yocum to examine issues with his pitching elbow. As a worst case, the diagnosis could be for Tommy John surgery.

This eventuality would likely nix any potential salary-guzzling deal to the Padres, but would kick in a health provision of the 'Worst Contract In Red Sox History'—saving the Red Sox millions in Luxury Taxes down the road.

Either way, we will be saddled with Lackey's legacy for years to come.

Farrell Closer As Sox Manager?

ESPN's Dan Shulman says (in a Tweet) that if the Red Sox want John Farrell as their next manager, the Blue Jays will not stand in their way. Of course, compensation issues would still be involved.

"Torrie" Nation

Thanks to the beer-swilling 2011 Red Sox, Baseball's 'Enforcer Of All Things Good And Just' Joe Torre is considering a total ban on all alcohol in MLB clubhouses. The image is tantalizing: A scowling "Torrie" Nation, hatchet in hand, barging into clubhouses smashing six packs of Bud Lite. Priceless.

Bud Heavy

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig has drawn a proverbial foul line in the sand: the deadline for resolving The Great Theo Compensation Fiasco is November 1. After that, Selig wades in feet first to screw up yet another hardball hassle. If that isn't motivation enough to close the deal in 24 hours, nothing is.

Cultural Revolution!

by Mark Lawrence, Down-Under Editor

Sydney, Australia—October 24, 2011. This year, the cold space between World Series and Spring Training seems even more devoid of life than in previous years and this infuriatingly slow progress to locate a new manager has prompted my fullest attention to solving a few matters that - if left unaddressed - will continue to plague the Red Sox clubhouse throughout the 2012 season – and very probably beyond.

Right now, we have a pretty fair roster of players – guys eminently capable of playing to win – so it follows that we just need a few radical changes in the management and coaching area to make our 2012 Red Sox viable again. As well as concentrating on filling a few managerial vacancies, the NOG should give serious thought to creating some new positions, too. This is how I’d like to see things pan out:

Manager - John 'Iron Pants' Farrell – I’m not that confident that there are any suitable managers out there who’d be willing to put up with all the nonsense and hoopla associated with the job – the Media Pack, the fans, Il Duce – why set yourself up for stress and Francona-like hair loss? So, why not go with a known quantity who just happens to have intimate knowledge of the clubhouse and its inherent problems. And even better to have a tough guy from Jersey with an attitude that – some say – occasionally approaches Pattonesque levels - you don’t win ball games on paper – you win ball games by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country – hell, if he could put the frighteners on Buchholz, I say hire the man.

Pitching Coach - Timothy S. Wakefield - well, why the hell not? Wake joined the club a year after I did, has given 16 loyal years of unstinting service and put up with a lot of guff over the years - this last disappointing season will likely prompt him to hang up his cleats, so why not give the guy a shot? There's no question in my mind that he's skilled enough to take on this role - what's the worst that could happen? A few young guys learn the mysteries of the knuckler? I'd take that anytime. But Wake might need a little help, so…

Assistant Pitching Coach - Pedro Martinez -Now that Pedro has retired, I'm sure he's been scratching about looking for something to occupy his time, so why not spend a few days a week at the Fens, tossing a ball around and imparting his years of pitching experience and acumen to the young and upcoming on the roster? Besides, Pedro has shown in the past that he can be a tough guy when needed – and he’s not afraid to knock a few skulls, either – just ask Don Zimmer.

Special Team Advisors/Player Counselors - Bill Lee and Kevin Millar- What this team needs is a ten gallon hatful of cheerful Texas optimism, leavened with a heapin’ helpin’ of good old New England New-Ageism, Spaceman-style. And wouldn’t it be sweet to have a few guys who could add that bothersome Leephus pitch to their arsenal?

Media Pack Liaison - C. Montague Schilling - It’d be fireworks a-plenty with the Media Pack after every game – The Big Schill would give ‘em all the straight skinny in a full-and-frank fashion that would discourage irrelevant questions, embarrass the CHB and delight viewers and fans worldwide, all the while taking the heat off the players. Although a six-second delay would probably be a good idea.

Ethics Counselor –Johnny Pesky - Old Number 6 is truly the last of a special breed and his absence from the clubhouse in recent times is sorely missed – but with The Needle dropping by a couple of days a week, the youngsters could learn a lot from a player who literally still gives his life to the team. Offer Mr Pesky a beer during the game and if he’s in uniform, he’ll chop you off at the ankles. Suds during a game?? Are you a major leaguer or what? Geddouttaheah, ya punk, ya!

Of course, this is – I hope - just a mildly amusing fantasy – but the point I’m laboring to make is that while management changes obviously need to be made and hopefully will be made, the need for cultural, organizational and attitudinal change is just as critical – perhaps even more so. Whoever comes on board in any leadership capacity will need to reinforce the unshakeable belief that anyone wearing that uniform can – as a team – prevail and can – as individuals – become participants in baseball history. This is the only way forward.

The fans feel awfully let down right now – it’ll take all of this and more for the Red Sox to win back their love and support and respect. Only a ship of arrogant fools would ignore this most vital issue and while I’ve never believed that the Red Sox could ever deserve that epithet, I plan to sit back this off-season and watch and wait to see if the NOG can deliver on their promises. Time - as always - will tell.

Farrell Eyed As New Sox Mgr.?

Reports have surfaced that the Red Sox may be pursuing former pitching coach John Farrell as their new manager. Obviously, the Blue Jays would require compensation for taking their manager (there's that "C" word again!), but Farrell might be just the right combination of toughness and skill we need. Interestingly, in our FenwayNation Poll on Tito's replacement (back on October 10th), Farrell finished second to Joe Torre among our readers.

Welcome To Ring-Less Nation

Theo Epstein has formally resigned as General Manager of the Boston Red Sox, and will now join the Chicago Cubs. Thus, the architect of the two World Series titles is gone. Gather together all the '04 and '07 memorabilia, folks, and put it in a safe place. You are not likely to see any more for a while.

Theo is taking the best of his former Boston brain trust with him to Chicago—Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod (both coming from the Padres) will re-form the real Big Three that gave us our glory. McLeod was Boston's Director of Amateur Scouting for six years—producing the likes of Pedroia, Bard, Buchholz, Ellsbury, Lavarnway, Kalish, Reddick, Middlebrooks, and Fuentes. Not bad.

Of course, Theo gave us the Nomar trade; the Papi, Millar and Mueller signings; the trades for Schilling and Adrian Gonzalez, to name a few. Sure, there were several swings and misses on free agents, but he vowed a "player development" machine—and he gave it to us.

Most importantly, Theo Epstein was the only local presence in the Red Sox management hierarchy. He lived the Red Sox gestalt—he didn't just pay it lip service. Now, we are left with three distracted carpetbaggers.

Kiss your ring dreams goodbye.

Resident Evil Averted?

At the ceremony where he accepted the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, David Ortiz (at least partly) shot down the rumors that he wanted to depart to the Bronx. His exact quote is:

“I never said I would sign with the Yankees. No, no, no. They asked me if I would play with the Yankees. I said I would think about it. I didn’t say I would go to the Yankees. I’m still with the Red Sox, aren’t I? Of course I would like to come back. We have a lot of things going on right now, and once they go through this stuff, like the general manager and the manager, they’ll start talking to the players.’’

We can't afford to sacrifice 30 and 100—sign him!

REPORT: Hoyer Theo's GM

Sports Illustrated reports that former Sox employee Jed Hoyer will become Theo Epstein's GM in Chicago.

Historic Obstructed Views

The New Ownership Group (NOG) of the Red Sox is seeking to get Fenway Park listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Ostensibly, this is being timed to coincide with the 100th Anniversary of "America's Most Cramped Ballpark". But, the more important fact is likely the 20% investment tax credit that comes with the designation.

Hopefully, the thousands of fans with obstructed view seats will be able to catch the dedication ceremony on NESN the following day—right after a replay of Liverpool vs. Arsenal.

Ch. 7 Sticks By Beer Story

Channel 7 in Boston is standing by its initial report of Red Sox pitchers drinking beer in the dugout. In fact, the two team sources from the original report have expanded their charges—saying Josh Beckett was engaging in the behavior as far back as the 2009 season.

Lackey Trade To Padres?

By far the best news in two weeks is the report that the San Diego Padres are considering trading for John Lackey. The Red Sox will, obviously, have to eat the bulk of the $45 million left on the righty's contract. But, do you care? Hey, less money for the Liverpool Reds, I say.

Gonzo: Multiple Captains Needed

In a wide-ranging interview with the Boston Herald, Adrian Gonzalez offered the most cogent suggestion for solving the Animal House Red Sox Culture: multiple captains.

Essentially, Gonzalez argues (rather convincingly) that each segment of the team needs its own leader: a captain for starting pitchers, a captain for position players, a captain for the bullpen, even a captain for the bench. While it may not be practical to have fine "Cs" roaming around the clubhouse, the idea of multiple accountability is brilliant in its simplicity.

Maybe Gonzo has more leadership potential than we were led to believe.

Who's Lying?

You decide:

Channel 7 report on beer drinking in the dugout.

Red Sox denial.

Occupy First Base?

For 12 seasons (2000-2011), we have worked very hard at keeping politics out of FenwayNation. Believe me, it has taken a lot of restraint to do so. But when the so-called 'Occupy' movement (and we use the term 'movement' very lightly) threatens the sanctity of the World Series, all bets are off.

St. Louis police authorities are girding for a possible onslaught of Occupiers when the Fall Classic opens on Wednesday—a day, by the way, when First Lady Michelle Obama will be in attendance. So, the Secret Service is rightly involved as well.

If the protesters (what exactly are they protesting?) want to exercise their First Amendment rights in the public spaces of America—all power to them. When they start to encroach on our hallowed institutions, well, does (the original) Mayor Daley ring a bell? 'Nuff ced.

Et Tu, Lester?

So, let's recap, shall we? Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona has been thrown under the proverbial bus (kudos to Dan Shaughnessy for labeling it the "Fenway Fung Wah") by:

• 'someone' in the Red Sox front office or on the Red Sox roster—the famed 'distracted by pills and philandering' charge;

• Larry Lucchino, for characterizing the above charges as "interesting theories";

• and, now, inexplicably, Jon Lester, who was protected like a son by Tito his entire time here.

If only they took the view of Dustin Pedroia, who said of his ex-manager and friend:

"He might take the hit for some things and the way the team’s playing and stuff like that, but from day one, he’s had my back and he’s had everyone’s back."

This 2011 edition of the Carmine Hose gets more and more unlikable with each passing day.

The Chumps With The Money

by Mark Lawrence, Down-Under Editor

Sydney, Australia—October 18, 2011. On a dark and stormy night back in 1932, Chicago screenwriter Ben Hecht was finishing up the screenplay for Howard Hughes’ mob epic ‘Scarface’, when he had some unexpected guests - two friends of Al Capone. The button men were concerned that Hecht’s screenplay was just a thinly veiled – and less than complimentary - portrait of their boss and sought to discourage the writer from his project. Hecht quickly assured the hoods that the story was based on others, but they weren’t buying it.

“But it’s called ‘Scarface’, ain’t it? – folks’ll think it’s about Al.”

“Exactly! That’s why they’ll come to see it. It’s all part of the racket we call show business.”

Placated, the gangsters headed for the door. But one of them turned back.

“Who’s this Howard Hughes guy?”

“Don’t worry about him,” Hecht said. “He’s just the chump with the money.”

The chump with the money – that phrase popped into my head when I saw John Henry’s remarks about opposing the Crawford signing. John Henry did not like the idea – we already have plenty of left-handed hitting, blah, blah, blah – but chose to acquiesce to others. I get the feeling that the steel-drivin’ man probably decided at the time that Principal Owners don’t need to assert the opinions over their employees. Besides, what could possibly go wrong?

Lots of things, as it turned out.

It seems pointless – not to mention masochistic – to spend the off-season constantly digging through the wreckage, searching for the elusive truth behind the Great Collapse. There are far too many technical variables to consider, let alone those muddying factors of beer and fried chicken – although I’m curious as to what video games were being played while the team crumbled. I have a disturbing image of John Lackey swinging those flabby hips, clutching an imaginary microphone and crooning along to Karaoke Revolution on PlayStation. I shudder at the thought of it.

But of course, there is work to be done and foremost in all of it is the appointment of a new manager and some new personnel. And that means some guys on the roster will be packing up their troubles in their old kit bags – but they won’t be smiling about it. Who will go? Apart from the obvious choices, I’m thinking that the old stagers, Varitek and Wakefield, might just see this as an opportunity to retire. If they take this decision, I’ll be disappointed – for them and for the team. Far better to go out on a high, but if you gotta go, well, you gotta go. Of course, the younger guys will likely remain – Pedroia, Youkilis, Ellsbury – and it seems obvious that the 2012 incarnation of the Carmine Hose will be assembled around these three hard chargers. Which leaves the important vacancy at the dugout steps - perhaps the Sox need a 21st Century Earl Weaver to turn things around? But does such a manager even exist these days? Of course not – the mold was shattered after they made Old Earl. But there’s a guy down in Lehigh Valley who could be useful.

Obviously, any speculation by me – and by extension, The Media Pack - seems futile right now, as negotiations with the Cubs continue to grind on, while young Theo waits, impatient to be gone, shuffling his feet and shifting his grip from one hand to the other.

Like many of you, the 2011 season has left me with a profound sense of disappointment and – yes, even a vague feeling of betrayal by some guys I’d hitherto admired and respected. And while I have the uneasy feeling that my long love affair with Boston is drifting slowly but inexorably towards the rocks, there’s always the slim chance that the NOG will get a fingertip or two back on the wheel and begin that slow and painful turn that will right the ship and point it towards a new post-season horizon. So, I guess I’ll be unlimbering my wallet later this year and shelling out for my Red Sox Nation Citizenship and my magazine subscriptions and my MLB-TV package.

But – fair warning to the NOG – you simply have to Get It Right this time. While you apparently regard us fans as just the chumps with the money, next year we might just hang on to it.

FN Poll Results: Theo's Best

So far, respondents to FenwayNation's latest poll are about equally divided as to which move was Theo Epstein's best. Roughly the same percentage name the trade for Curt Schilling (29.6%) and the drafting of Dustin Pedroia (29.1%) as the top move. Signing Papi comes in third at 20.4%, followed by the Ellsbury signing at 9.2%. Trailing were the Nomar trade at 6.8%, the signing of Millar and Muellar at 3.9% and the drafting of Papelbon (0.5%) and Buchholz (0.5%).No one as yet has chosen the signing of Keith Foulke.

You can still vote in the poll HERE.

FN Poll: Theo's Best Move

Please vote in the latest FenwayNation Poll, which asks: 'What was Theo Epstein's best move during his tenure as GM of the Red Sox?' VOTE HERE.

Lester Admits To Beer Drinking

In a telephone interview with the Globe's Peter Abraham, Jon Lester admitted drinking beer in the clubhouse during games—calling it "ninth-inning rally beer". The lefty admitted the antics were wrong, but strongly denied that the shenanigans were the cause of the team's epic Black September Collapse.

Vitters May Be On Sox Radar

Sources indicate that the Red Sox may now be focusing on Cubs' third base prospect Josh Vitters (22 years old). Vitters is currently toiling in the Arizona Fall League and is doing well in the early going. He would make sense for the Red Sox, who may need to move Kevin Youkilis to DH in the wake of a Papi departure. Or, if Youkilis is dealt for starting pitching, Vitters could compete with Mike Aviles, Will Middlebrooks and Jed Lowrie for the starting third base job in 2012. Of course, if the Cubs believe incumbent third-baseman Aramis Ramirez will leave Chicago via free agency, this whole scenario falls apart.

Jackson Jive

MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reports that speculation about the Red Sox landing Cubs 2009 #1 pick Brett Jackson is false. Larry Lucchino has reportedly been playing hardball in his compensation talks with Chicago and asked for the speedy outfielder.

Muskat suggests that the Red Sox lock onto the equivalent of some guy named Kevin Youkilis—the Double A third baseman they offered the A's as compensation for the failed signing of Billy Beane.

Logjam Larry

Reports out of Chicago indicate that Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino is playing the "bad cop" in the Theo Epstein compensation negotiations. Some are speculating that Lucchino is doing everything he can to frustrate Theo's desire to move on—sort of a final skirmish in their decade long battle. With yesterday's guerrilla radio interview by John Henry, it looks like the counter-revolutionary PR initiative from the NOG is in full swing. Who knows, next we might see Tom Werner threatening to bring in Roseanne to kick-off Fenway 100.

Henry: I Opposed Crawford Deal

Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry made the following comment on 98.5 The Hub's Felger & Mazz Show this afternoon:

"I personally opposed the Carl Crawford deal."

The stunning admission lobs yet another bomb into the DMZ that is the 2011-2012 Hot Stove Season. Yikes!

Papi In Pinstripes

Olbermann Actually Gets It Right

OK, this really pains me. Keith Olbermann, who I generally consider to be a buffoon, has actually gotten it right (for the most part) about the current Red Sox debacle. I might actually start watching his new show on the 'AlGore Network'—which, by the way, would roughly double his ratings. Anyway, here is his commentary on the culpability of the NOG:

Tinker, Evers, Chance To Sox?

Rumored compensation list from Cubs.

A Tale Of Two Teams

For all the talk of beer, chicken and X-box, there's really only one reason some of the Red Sox are vacationing in Cabo this week: horrendous pitching. We've all heard of the staggering 7.00+ starter ERA in September, but it's really been a year-long issue for the pitching staff as a whole.

The chart above clearly shows the Grand Canyon-sized disparity between the 2011 offense and pitching. The Red Sox ranked first in the majors in runs, on-base percentage and slugging percentage—second in team batting average. The Red Sox finished near the bottom of baseball in quality starts (28th) and team ERA (22nd). They were in the middle of the pack on WHIP (16th) and 9th in batting average against.

All in all, it can't be any clearer what the problem was. It wasn't so much a lack of team chemistry, it was more a lack of pitcher physics—that is, not propelling the ball in the right spots.

Yahoo: Cherington Is New GM

Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Ben Cherington has been told he is the new General Manager of the Red Sox.

Don't Ask, Don't Care

by Bill Collins, FN Editorial Board Member

Somewhere In The Pioneer Valley, October 12, 2011. I'm getting a wee bit tired of our Boston Red Sox. Yes, the season ended rather poorly. They actually ran out of enough wheels to fall off the team bus. Fine. It's done. Move on. But the Sox won't, the media won't, and the fans can't. The problem isn't the fact that they croaked. It's the fact that the Sox won't or can't let go of the drama. It has nothing to do with baseball. Yet they're equating keeping the team in the news with wringing every bit of drama out of mundane (and not-so-mundane) details. Yes, fans want to know why the season went south. Fine. But this probing into everything Sox is just wearisome. Address the problems behind closed doors, get your team and management together for 2012, and go watch some hockey. End of story.

I'm adopting and adapting the military's recent policy: "Don't ask, don't care." And that's going to be the Sox' biggest problem going into 2012 if they don't get rid of this turgid drama. People won't care. Sox games will lose in the tv ratings to reruns of My Mother the Car. And that's what will really bother the Sox brass.

So yes, I'm fatigued by all of it. Just make it go away.

FN Poll: New GM—Inside Or Out?

Please vote in our latest FenwayNation Poll, which asks, "Should the Red Sox get their new General Manager from inside or outside the organization?" VOTE HERE.

Theo is Chi-Ca-GONE

WEEI's John Dennis is reporting that the 'Theo to the Cubs' deal is done—for five years and more than $15 million. Details still need to be worked out on the compensation the Red Sox will receive.

Animal House

The Boston Globe's Bob Hohler offers up a devastating account of the Biggest Collapse Ever, which spares very few members of the Red Sox family—from the owners to the manager to key players.

It is a scathing indictment of the culture that was allowed to grow on Yawkey Way—reminiscent of the "25 cabs for 25 players" days of yore. Only Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury (isolated from most teammates), Alfredo Aceves and Jonathan Papelbon escape any blame for the ruinous antics that went on behind the scenes.

Jon Tomase's Herald beer-drinking story was confirmed—adding ordered-in fried chicken and video games to the mix. All done by most of the starting pitching staff during games. Supposedly, Terry Francona had wanted "all hands on deck" in the dugout, but rarely got it. (EDITOR'S NOTE: See what we experienced in June that should have given us an inkling of what was going on).

Tito himself is portrayed as a skipper losing his grip—saddled by a crumbling marriage and use of painkillers. This is "As The World Turns" material!

All in all, this team—led by a few starting pitchers—quit on their manager, their GM, their owners and most importantly they quit on us, the fans. It will take a lot to win our respect back.

Latest On Theo

RELEVANT TWEETAGE:
RT @CarrieMuskat : Sources say #Cubs made offer & sticking point is whether Theo wants to leave #RedSox . Tough call, personal vs professional


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REPORT: Theo Close To Cubs Deal

The Boston Herald's Steve Buckley is reporting that Theo Epstein is "on the cusp" of making a deal to become General Manager of the Chicago Cubs.

FN Poll: Which Free Agent?

Please vote in our latest FenwayNation Poll, which asks: 'Which free agent should the Red Sox pursue this off-season?' VOTE NOW.

FN Poll: What Will Define 2012?

Please vote in the latest FenwayNation Poll, which asks: "Will 2012 be defined more by The Collapse of 2011 or more by the 100th Anniversary of Fenway Park?" VOTE HERE.

Cafe' Escapo Lucchino?

The Alice in Wonderland vibe surrounding your Boston Red Sox got even curiouser over the weekend. According to SI's Jon Heyman—who on Friday assured us that Theo was staying put—Epstein was spotted at a Chicago Starbucks over the weekend.

Also on Friday, Forbes List Billionaire John Henry and Larry Lucchino did their best Alphonse and Gaston routine—denying any knowledge of the Cubs' request to meet with Theo. They were about as convincing as Captain Renault as he collected his winnings from Rick's.

So, one has to assume that, if Theo is meeting with Cubs owner Tom Ricketts, he's being offered the $5 million a year for five years. Why would Theo turn that down? So he can continue his Clash of the Titans struggle with Lucchino? Not bloody likely. All of a sudden, the 'challenge' of erasing another curse would seem quite lucrative.

So What Do We Do Now?

by Ric Glaub, International Editor

October 8, 2011-Tashkent, Uzbekistan. After the September collapse, failure to reach the playoffs, I suspect I'm like many Red Sox fans, having said “they are dead to me now.” After the classic end of the season, I, as I think many Sox fans probably did, went into a funk. I told friends I was dressing all in black and for a few days - I'm not making this up - I would only go to the Internet to check my email. I didn't want to read about the Sox.

The day this is written, I chatted with a friend who is a died-in-the-wool Yankees fan, the day after the Tigers sent the Yankees to the off-season. He was, of course, being a Yankees fan, fit to be tied and told me he was done with sports at least until next April, and would have nothing more to say about the Yankees between now and that time.

I told him I didn't believe a word of what he was saying and reminded him he was talking to a fan of a club that had just engineered the worst collapse in baseball history. I pointed out to him that I had felt the same way a few days ago, but that I was already ready for the Hot Stove League - Tito is gone, Theo may be…I am already keeping in touch with all this. And so will he.

I told him, “dress in all black, be surly and eat only food infused with really hot peppers. I know from experience this helps.” At the same time, decide what the Yankees should do to get younger, whether Cashman stays on, etc.

After a pause, he wrote back, “thanks for letting my vent. I have to go to a meeting.”

The point of this is, of course, true fans don't abandon teams - we can't. It's not in our DNA. We can mourn, shout, scream and threaten, but we'll still be there. And this is not just about Red Sox fans, it's about true fans.

I sent a message to an old friend of mine today, who has been a Tigers fan since God was a kid. I offered my compliments to the Tigers, especially for beating the Yankees. I proffered that I thought the Tigers wanted it more and showed it on the field. I also told him that for the rest of the playoffs, I am rooting for the Tigers. I want to root for a scrappy team that is able to play above its abilities because it wants it so much, something neither the Red Sox nor Yankees have shown in a while.

So, we all move on. Having told a friend that the Red Sox were now “dead to me,” I will follow them though the Hot Stove League. In our case, Tito's gone, there's a good case Theo may be gone. I will be following this, as will most of you. My friend the Yankees fan, despite his protestations, will do the same.

That, my friends, is baseball. And we all know it.

SI: Theo Likely To Stay

According to a 'tweet' by Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman, the current feeling in MLB circles is that Theo Epstein will remain GM of the Boston Red Sox.