Nomar in a Cubs uniform is just odd. Somehow and someway I was expecting this to be normal as I tuned into WGN yesterday, but it wasn't. He only looks right in a Red Sox jersey, specifically those road grey jerseys. It reminds me of seeing Giambi in a Yankees uniform. It really wasn't supposed to be this way. He'll be at Wrigley for two months, followed by the Cubs missing the Wild Card by a couple of games, and then to Anaheim or Baltimore or somewhere in the off-season.

Got to blame the Red Sox front office on this. They alienated him in the off-season so that there was no way he was going to sign. They should have gone the extra distance and paid the extra million to get ARod. Instead, they did what you would expect of their front office and didn't get the guy, while making their current guy unhappy. Soon he simply didn't care about the team, and was the only guy not of the top step of the dugout in a recent tense game against the Yanks. He had to go.

Now, the front office knew they would get two draft picks for him when he bolted in the off-season. So, they had to find a trade that got them better than that. I really don't think they did. No significant upgrades at any position. Rumor was initially that they would get Clement, which would have made the trade worthwhile, but they did not. I think they paniced. But, two more months of Nomar followed by two drafts picks next June would have been a better deal than they got.

As far as the Cubs go, they got a decent player while not giving up much, which will help their run at the playoffs. A good deal for them. But, I wouldn't want to sign Nomar to a long-term contract at $10 million plus per year. He's not durable enough. They'll look elsewhere for help as SS this winter, I bet.