This IS still a form of rebuilding. Just not as tehy did in 98 where JR bsically called the fans crazy for thinking we can compete.
Look at all the free agents next year for the Sox. Off the top of my head: Everet, Robby, Sandy, C.Lee, Daubach, Colon, Valentin.
Now dont get me wrong. I love what the Sox did, but this is a cover up for the rebuilding process. The sox are going to get a ton of prospects in next year's draft in compenstation for these guys. This will rebuild the farm with low A ball players. I doubt the Sox will sign half of these guys. So there's a good chance next years team will suck or play .500 ball unless KW does the same thing as this year.
It is a much smarter way of rebuilding though. Instead of giving up, try to go out with a winner. Thsi way they're not pissing off the fans in july. I think all Sox fans can handle a few years of rebuilding if we have a chance to do more then a division title.
If you really think about it, the Sox havent really had a chance to have a good draft position since the late 80's!!!!!!!
Think about it............. The Sox havent really been much worse then .500 since then which puts them in the middle of the draft and they never had a shot at prospects like Mark Prior or other top 10 rated prospects in the country.
This sure beats watching this team lose BAD for a few years only to wait and get prospects over being one of the worst in the league.