The big doings of late in Red Sox Nation have concerned the Coco Crisp trade. Over the weekend the Sox traded third base prospect Andy Marte (who came from the Braves in the Edgar Renteria trade), reliever Guillermo Mota (who came over in the Beckett trade), catcher Kelly Shoppach, some cash and a player to be named to the Indians for outfielder Coco Crisp, reliever David Riske and catcher Josh Bard.

This is a good trade for the Sox, largely because the acquisition of Crisp fills the huge hole left in center field by the departure of Johnny Damon. While Marte is considered a top prospect, the Sox don't have a current need at third base (of course, if Mike Lowell doesn't regain his form we may be singing a different tune by July). Crisp is already a proven Major League outfielder and based on reports should be able to handle the scrutiny of playing in Boston. Mota and Riske are pretty much a wash, as is Shoppach and Bard. As long as the player to be named is a secondary prospect, that shouldn't be an issue. Given that the Sox have already sold more than 2.1 million tickets (about 75% of Fenway's capacity) more than two months before Opening Day, cash shouldn't be much of an issue either.

Ah, yes, tickets. We tried to get some tickets for the season over the weekend, as tickets for the bulk of the games went on sale. Other than the fact that The Hey managed to get a couple of seats for Opening Day (Thanks, Hey!!!!!), we weren't able to get anything decent. It has really become next to impossible to get good seats to a Red Sox game unless you know someone or are willing to pay well above face value to a ticket agent/scalper.

So, I'm not going to sweat it for this year. If we get in through the lottery for some Yankees tickets, or some Green Monster or Right Field seats I'll take those. I'm sure I'll pick up a game or two through work. But if I don't get any other tickets for Fenway this year, I'll just enjoy more games in Pawtucket or Brockton or Lowell or other minor league venues. The tickets and concessions are vastly cheaper, and it's a heck of a lot less hassle getting in and out.

At least that's what I'm saying now. Maybe if I keep repeating it I'll eventually believe it.