Comments | redsox: Papelbon to Close?

organizedfamine in redsox

Papelbon to Close?

Feb 20, 2007 13:03

I was of the mindset that Papelbon definitely would start this season. Since then however, Papelbon has indicated that the shoulder strengthening program he went through would eliminate the injury risk of him being a closer. On top of that, the FO seems to have relaxed from their position that Papelbon will most definitely not close and Julian ( Read more... )

jonathan papelbon

Comments 17

shellygirl814 February 20 2007, 18:16:25 UTC

I would love to see the Papelmullet closing for us again. Plus if Lester is a well as everyone says he is, then there is no reason for him NOT to start.

arrowintwolakes February 20 2007, 18:36:55 UTC

Well, if MVP Baseball 2005 is any indication, and we all know that it always, always is, Tavarez could make a find #5 starter until Lester gets back.

planet_nibiru February 21 2007, 01:56:04 UTC

Hehe in MLB 2K6, my Tavarez gets blown the hell up.

curseintongues February 20 2007, 19:23:04 UTC

I guess I'm the only one here who thinks the possibility that he's a dominant (or even good) starter is more important to the team. Wakefield is already our No.5. Do we really want a pitcher worse than Timmy out there? No offense to the dude because I love him, he's cost controlled, yadda yadda yadda, but seriously, dude throws junk, he'll put up an ERA around 4.50-5.50, and he'll be average, or slightly worse, all season long. Lester is still a kid w/ no control, and the only reason he came up last season is because everyone was hurt. His stuff is absolutely filthy, but he needs to learn how to find the strikezone, and not wander far from it. Until then, I'd like to see him stay in AAA ( ... )

commissarmp February 20 2007, 20:30:13 UTC

Actually they do throw useful players away... see: Horacio Ramirez for Rafael Soriano.

Also, it's probably Hargrove's decision, but there's that fact that Willie Bloomquist keeps getting consistent at-bats instead of anyone else.

Random, but apparently they also just signed Rey Ordonez.

curseintongues February 20 2007, 21:00:50 UTC

Well, you raise a valid point, but it also could be looked at as: "The Seattle Mariners realize Soriano's talent, and can't possibly afford to pay him the money he will one day command, so rather than get everybody's hopes up, here's a schmo instead. Let's watch Ichiro get on base, and Sexson maybe sock one outta here! Who wants a coffee?"

Also, Mike Hargrove is an idiot. It was pretty much impossible not to come in 1st in the Central when he was with the Indians. Young Jim Thome, Manny, etc., along w/ Albert Belle and Kenny Lofton and Eddie Murray... insanity.

curseintongues February 20 2007, 21:06:31 UTC

Oh, and P.S.

You don't like a 35-yr. old SS who hasn't played in the majors since '04, and hit like a 12-yr. old, with the range of a 40-yr. old? Jeez, weird.

To be fair to Bloomquist though, who else did they have? Wasn't Jones injured?

Thread 6

chiquitapiscina February 20 2007, 19:35:35 UTC

"...with owner Tom Werner indicating that a decision on the role had already been reached"

that part is not true, eric wilbur posted both an exchange between hanry and werner in which they jokingly said a closer had been named and the part about the interview with theo saying papelbon hadnt been ruled out, all in the same post. gordon edes has since called out 'another website' for putting the two together and insinuating they had chosen papelbon to be the closer again. papelbon is definately still an option, but nobody has said anything about a real decision having been made.

chiquitapiscina February 20 2007, 19:37:31 UTC

ps all that came from extra bases within the last couple hours... does anyone know if any other team is as crazy as we are and has a blog updating us on every move every player makes during the first week of spring training? i think its kind of amusing :) yay baseball season.

awfulbliss February 20 2007, 21:20:17 UTC

You don't actually need a closer as good as Papelbon was last year. I hope he stays in the rotation. Obviously if the closer puts up horrendous numbers it'll have be considered again.

planet_nibiru February 21 2007, 02:05:31 UTC

"You don't actually need a closer as good as Papelbon was last year."

Yeah, exactly. It was awesome, especially as a fan watching him slam the door on close games, but the best pitchers should throw the most innings. Someone consistent and confident with low stamina and/or a small repertoire could probably do OKAY closing. I'd love someone to step up in a bigger way than that, but starting > everything else.

commissarmp February 21 2007, 04:50:01 UTC

Seriously, the Tigers did fine with the 88mph straight strike throwing machine known as Todd Jones.