SI's Tom Verducci on Red Sox

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/tom_verducci/08/22/sox/

Another point Verducci didn't mention, look at the prospects BOS traded away before the season:
Hanley Ramírez

Anibal Sánchez

Andy Marte

Ramirez proves to be a decent hitter with speed in the major league (.272.AVG, .341OBP, 12HR, 40SB). Sanchez is a solid starter and can be a valuable #4 staff on a contending team (65+inn, 10GS, 3.44ERA, 1.27WHIP, .225 opp avg, although the #'s come from a weaker hitting NL league). Marte still needs some more seasoning and may not be MLB-ready as many thought.

Just imagine BOS had Ramirez in the lineup everyday batting leadoff (it's a much better option than Crisp) and Sanchez starting instead of Johnson or Snyder...