This week, for the first time in five years, Red Sox Nation will make its September descent on Camden Yards thinking more about crab cakes than 90-win seasons and pennant races.
The fans will still be here, wearing their bright red Big Papi T-shirts and yelling "RemDawwwwg" at obnoxious levels to get the attention of TV announcer Jerry Remy. But the feel of this week's series will be much different. Because neither team has anything to play for.
That's protocol for the Orioles now, but not for the Boston Red Sox. In fact - and try not to laugh - the Orioles might actually be in a better spot heading into the offseason than the Red Sox.
Seriously.
OK, at least sort of seriously.
Yes, Boston has more money to spend, even with the new Mid-Atlantic Sports Network deal. And the Red Sox are much more desirable to a quality free agent seeking a home than the Orioles.
But Boston also has more holes to fill. The majority of the Red Sox's key players are older, and several have lingering injury concerns. They've traded away a chunk of their solid farm system. And, like the Orioles, their best trade chip to improve as a whole is a superstar whose offensive production probably can't be replaced.
One major league general manager stopped short of saying the Red Sox will be at a crossroads this winter, simply because of the money they can spend. But, he added, "They do have some tough decisions to make."
The biggest is whether to deal disgruntled left fielder Manny Ramirez, who would command a good package of players in return, assuming the Red Sox pick up some of the outstanding $38 million due Ramirez through 2008.
Ramirez, 34, is still one of the game's most feared hitters. He'll be difficult to replace - names such as the Atlanta Braves' Andruw Jones and the New York Yankees' Gary Sheffield have been rumored - and a bat like his is essential in that lineup to hit behind David Ortiz. If not, Ortiz will be pitched around game after game.
"If they trade [Ramirez], they better substitute him with Albert Pujols if they want Ortiz to get 300 at-bats," said Orioles first baseman Kevin Millar, who used to play for the Red Sox. "There are only one or two guys that you can have to make them pitch to David and Manny is one of them. Sheffield, maybe Miggy [Miguel Tejada]. Other than that, Ortiz is probably going to be close to Barry Bonds in terms of walks."
