"Say this for Theo Epstein, he's accountable.

When the inevitable became reality yesterday and the bell tolled on Mike Cameron's Red Sox career, Epstein didn't blame bad luck for Cameron's subpar performance over the last two years.

"We've been scratching our heads," Epstein admitted yesterday after designating Cameron for assignment. "I'll take the hit on this one."

The winter of 2010 is not going down as Epstein's finest hour. The Red Sox got into a case of medical he-said, she-said with free agent outfielder Jason Bay and let him walk. They used his money to sign right-hander John Lackey, who is showing signs of coming around, but remains a disappointment.

They also replaced Bay with Cameron (two years, $15.5 million) after striking out in the trade market and deciding not to wait out Scott Boras client Matt Holliday, who proved too rich for their blood anyway. They considered free agents Marlon Byrd, Reed Johnson and Austin Kearns, but none offered Cameron's combination of defense and the ability to hit left-handed pitching."