Has Millar Gone Too Far?

"The whole entitlement thing, it’s tiresome. Obviously Millar has a lot to do with this because he’s so outraged that John Olerud is here, he’s in the manager’s office, now he’s asked to be traded and all that. Now, c’mon… drama. Grow up and move on. He (Millar) was upset and asked Terry Francona to have him traded. They looked, and it’s not happening. Houston I guess is interested a little bit, but they wouldn’t give anything and now they don’t want him because Berkman’s going to play first base. It’s not gonna happen. If you get tired enough… I personally think Francona makes a mistake anytime he doesn’t defense for him. I think until he starts to hit, and a .362 slugging percentage or whatever it is, is pretty pathetic for a first baseman. I don’t see why winning isn’t more important than Kevin Millar’s need to be in the lineup. John Olerud, someone said to me, he’s the 2001 John Olerud, not the 2004 John Olerud. He’s played well for them... if this is gonna be such a huge issue it wouldn't surprise me at all that come August 1st, if they jettison (Millar). But I don't think it will happen, I think he'll start to hit... The one thing, and I thought about this a lot, and I saw Howard Bryant's (Boston Herald) column with Kevin Millar ripping the manager (about not selecting Clement and Timlin as All-Stars), we all know who it was, so, which I thought was uncalled for considering what the manager's done for him." -- 7.7 Peter Gammons, WEEI's The Big Show

Red Sox All Shook Up

Alex Cora Playing Shortstop and Batting Leadoff Tonight,
Adam Stern in Center Field Batting 8th
Jay Payton Designated for Assignment; Adam Stern Called Up
Sox Acquire Alex Cora from the Indians
in Exchange for Ramon Vazquez
Foulke Surgery Went Well; 6-Week Recovery Expected
DiNardo Sent Back to Pawtucket

"They're (Red Sox) not gonna take a lot of stuff, if Payton's outbursts last night... pffft, 'you're not going on the flight, goodbye.' He was upset about something, so he gets traded. He'll go to Oakland and that will all work out after the All-Star break... Is winning more important than money? I was a little surprised that he got so concerned about his playing time, and what he’s doing, he seems so worried. I know he thinks he should be playing every day and I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think this was the perfect situation. I think he’s going to Oakland and they may already have a deal in place that may be announced in a week or so. I don’t see him playing every day there. I mean they may move Eric Byrnes. I would guess they’d probably get a pitcher of some kind (in return), the A’s have a lot of relief pitchers now, I have no idea who it would be. I know the Dodgers are interested. I think, somebody said to me today that the Cardinals would be, but I know Billy Beane had called on him over the weekend so now that this thing has happened quickly. I don’t know how long it’s going to be, I do know that all along they’ve expected that Gabe Kapler is coming back, one way or another." -- 7.7 Peter Gammons, WEEI's Big Show

Alex Cora to Play Shortstop and Bat Leadoff
Adam Stern Playing Center Batting 8th
Manny Gets Another Night Off; Mirabelli Catching