Teddy Mitrosilis over at Dugout Central has an interesting article posted about the Red Sox and their struggles to reach an accord with closer Jonathan Papelbon. He suggests that the Sox should allow Papelbon to leave when he becomes a free agent after the 2011 season, citing his outsized demands and the imprudence of giving a closer a long term deal as his primary justifications.
Ignoring the fact that letting an elite closer like Papelbon walk would be the wrong move, the scenario Teddy suggests creates an interesting hypothetical. The Yankees will likely be looking for a closer at that point, assuming that Joba Chamberlain survives in the rotation and Mariano Rivera is not actually God. If you were the general manager, would you sign Papelbon?
From a baseball perspective, it is a slam dunk move. Papelbon is a an elite closer who has made his bones in the most heated years of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. You know that he can handle an overbearing media contingent, as well as the pressure that comes with closing postseason games. On the other hand, I hate that guy and his bug eyed stare so much. He is on the short list of former Red Sox that I could never see myself embracing (Youkilis, Pedroia, Beckett, and Schilling round out the top 5), and I wonder if I could ever look past that and just deal with the fact that he would help the team. What do you think?
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Tough call – I think a lot depends on Melancon’s development. It’s also possible that Brackman or Betances may be destined for closerville if they’re unable to start. Sanchez could also return to form and make a run at that spot. It’s always dangerous to sign a closer like that because (with the exception of Mariano) they tend to only have a very short period of elite production. Pap’s also had some arm problems, too. If the Yanks don’t have a proven guy in the system by that time, though, they may have no choice
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I’m worried about his health.
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mryankee Reply:
March 19th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
I think the yanks should focus on grooming Melancon as the closer. I have read his command is already there and his stuff is not to far behind. Brackman and Betances are future starters so that should be their focus. I also dont get why Brackman is old at 23 if he in the rotation at 24 or 25 that would be fine with me. Lets stick to a plan the startsr continue to work tobe starts and Melancon should focus onbeing the closer. I cant stand Papelbon and I should know I live in the Boston area and he is a moron and I think he is really is that stupid not just acting.
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
March 19th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Yeah, I live in Boston too, and they love his stupidity here. you should here him during interviews.
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Tom Gaffney Reply:
March 19th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
They’ll definitely try to groom those guys as starters but it doesn’t always work out that way – closers are generally guys that were originally groomed as starters but wound up being much more effective in the pen – all the best guys: Mariano, Paps, K-Rod were all starters in the minors.
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I agree there but if Melancon can do the job or even coke I would notover spend for Papelbon and I am sure that the Red Sox will cave and sign hinm at the last minute. Trust me the Sox will not let him walk unless he doesnot want to be here. I think in the cases of Brackman and Betances you have to do everything possible to groom them to start. If all else fails I could understand them in the bullpen. I personally would love to see Melancon take over the eight tne the ninth a la mo and Wetteland.
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I think that, if the Red Sox let Papelbon go, it would show why they have managed to be a successful franchise. They make smart decisions. Signing a closer to a long-term deal is no longer the optimal way. Look at the Marlins, Giants, hell, even the Nationals. Build from within and create closers, that’s the way it should be done. There’s no need to blow money on a guy whose job is rather overrated.
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I would replace Pedroia with Varitek on my top 5 Red Sox list. I dislike Pedroia, I just dislike V-Tec more.
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Chris H. Reply:
March 19th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
My list is:
1. Varitek
2. Youkilis
3. Pedroia
4. Papelbon
5. Dice-K because he pouts on the mound
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Mike R. - Retire 21 Reply:
March 19th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
How can anyone hate Pedroia? Midgets are hilarious!
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Tom Gaffney Reply:
March 19th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
I get where you’re coming from but Varitek sucks too much for me to hate him all that bad. Yes, he’s a girly wuss who tries to start fights while leaving his mask on and all, but it’s kind of like hating a senile, helpless old man. He’s too pathetic for me to get all worked up over. The guy hit .220 last year – .220!!
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Mike R. - Retire 21 Reply:
March 19th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
But…but…but he was an all-star! Intangibles!!1!1
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It depends. Paps is currently one of the top 2 closers in baseball (along with Rivera) and I don’t have any problem with brining in former Red Sox. That said, I hate the idea of putting so much money in a hyped up improperly used reliever. He would pitch 70 innings in which the team was probably up by 2-3 runs. Good relievers have value, but I’d rather spread the 10-15 million we’d have to pay for him around instead of spending it all on one reliever.
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