See you later, alligator ...

And now, the end is near. Wait a minute. The end is now. After three successive trips to the post season, the season is over - now - for the Red Sox. Is it over for Theo Epstein as well? He spoke as if he is coming back. But he still hasn't signed his contract. I would not be surprised if he did not come back, and it wouldn't bother me at all. When he became GM before the 2003 season, he was handed a playoff caliber team. The 2003 team was one of the best offensive baseball teams in history. He was handed that team by former GM Dan Duquette. While the 2004 team won it all, it wasn't quite as good as the previous team, but very good nonetheless. Each year Epstein added his own touches, resulting in a team that finished third in the AL East. The teams went backwards each year. Minnesota didn't go backwards. Oakland didn't go backwards. The Red Sox, and their 120 million dollar payroll went backwards. Is Theo good for this team and city? Will he be around in 2007? Stay tuned because it is going to be a bumpy off season.