Will Middlebrooks has a broken wrist and is done for the year.

That's horrible news.

Except, it's not.

The team now has a chance to SHUT DOWN for the season and aim toward next season.

It's obvious to any rational person that the Sox are not making the playoffs this year, and even if they do they'll only be embarrassed (along with us fans).

Middlebrooks' injury is the final straw that breaks the Sox's back. More than Ellsbury, Crawford, Pedroia, or Ortiz, losing a young guy like Middlebrooks at this point in the season screams"Give up and aim toward next year."

Who's playing 3rd the rest of the year? Punto?

I love Middlebrooks.

He'll be back next season. The team will be back. They'll compete for the playoffs. Middlebrooks may have a sophomore fall-off, but he'll be a solid third baseman.

But, they're done for this season.