While the author is correct that the Red Sox fans, media, and management are crazy to trade Manny in the midst of a run for the playoffs, the Red Sox are nowhere near the most underachieving team this year. They are 3 games out of 1st in the AL East and lead the AL wild card. They had 96 wins in 2007 and are on track for 91 in 2008 - hardly a significant drop in performance.

The Indians are far and away the most underachieving team in baseball. Last year they tied the Red Sox for the best record in baseball and went 7 games with the Red Sox in the ALCS. Now they have 5th worst record in baseball putting them 14 games out of the AL Central and AL wild card. To go from 96 wins in 2007 to being on track for 92 losses (70 wins) with essentially the same opening day roster is definitely underachieving. (Losing your number 3 and 4 hitters and number 2 and 3 pitchers will have some effect).

Let's not forget the Rockies - NL champs last year and now playing 0.450 baseball. The Mariners weren't necessarily expected to win 100 games this season, but they weren't expected to lose 100 games either.