The first step to improvement has already occured - Thei Epstein has left the building. WHat a disaster. Anyone who has watched baseball for a few years could see that Beckett was washed up two years ago, at least as far as being a dominant pitcher. Still, Epstin opened the value for him. Now Beckett is here and Epstein isn't - so we're half there. Beckett's departure would be a plus. Of course, hnow can we not mention the Child Genius' signings oo Matsuzaka and Lackey without answering the obvious question - no wonder why the cost of beer us so high at Fenway. let's not forget giving up all the minoir league pitchers for Martinez, then not re-signing Martinez. Brilliant use of the Boss' money. So, here we are. This season is done - the Sox will win fewer than 80 games which shows you how badly Epstein mismanaged the team, and why he was glad to go. Keep Lester and Bard. Trade away Youklis for young pitching. Put a lot of energy into signing/developing players and NOT trading them away and plan to be competitive again by 2015. In the meantime, lower the prices of the tickets to reflect the lesser product, and reduce the cost of beer to send a clear mesaage that the Front Office realizes that they must make this team easier to swallow.

They'd more likely trade Middlebrooks for this year's version of John Lackey. That's the way things are going.