To me, this makes the most sense for the Red Sox. I stated this before and will stand by my original statements. The Red Sox will not be blown out of too many games, not with their lineup. If they are close in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings having that automatic closer in the bullpen is a psychological advantage.
As has been mentioned in the article, Papelbons's college career was all about relief pitching. Relief pitching did get him to the All star game. His mental approach to closing is a perfect match. This is what he is most comfortable with. This is where the Red Sox are the weakest. Also mentioned was his loss in velocity after a few innings, making him more effective in the eighty or so innings he would pitch as a closer during the season.
The Red Sox starting pitching is still a question mark and I am not about to anoint Matsuzaka the next Pedro. Schilling is a year older and injury susceptible. Beckett is only twenty six but after a poor showing last year the book is still out on him. Jon Lester, although young and talented, is a season removed from dealing with a serious illness. That leaves Matt Clement, Tim Wakefield and a list not worth mentioning thereafter. Lots of question marks. Also lots of potential. Having a secure closer of Papelbon's caliber will help set up and take pressure off the middle relief staff.
Their pen has some veterans who are capable of holding the offense down for an inning or three. This also makes the Roger Clemens lottery more enticing, especially if the Red Sox are showing signs of dominance. Unlikely, but a more than average possibility. Clemens could put them right over the top and into the World Series. A Clemens, Schilling and Matsuzaka starting three in the playoffs is more than formidable.
This is not a make or break move for the Red Sox but a smart one. I hate the Red Sox but like the move from a team point of view.
You listen here and you listen good. The Dice-man does not require any annointing from you or anyone else. Dice-K WILL take Major League Baseball and turn it on its ear. 10 pirates huddled around a monitor in the locker room trying to figure out how somone can make a pitch do that!
200 pitch bullpen sessions.... 300ft long "toss"
Pitch count, not for this monster set em up and mow em down. the second comming of Koufax. He's just scratched the surface. Here's my outrageous claim. You heard it here first. Dice-K the #### took my baby away will win Cy Young, Rookie of the Year,MVP and Time magazines Man of the Year. You got that toughguy.
disclaimer: authuor was well into his eighth gin and tonic during the creation of this post the author assumes no responsibillity for any statments that do not come true.
Last edited by 54fulltiltfulltime on March 23rd at 6:17 PM.
I think moving Papelbon back to closer, is one of the smartest moves to come out of spring training. As a Mariner fan, I knew Piniero and Timlin couldn't handle the role of closer, especially Joel. He'd be better suited as a long reliever/spot starter. I still think Boston's rotation will be one of the toughest to face, in October.
54fultiltfulltime....I love your enthusiasm and candor. I will admit the Dice-man looks like the real deal but pitching on four days rest throughout the entire season is an untested work regiment for him. That will be the real challenge.
I do feel that he will succeed and prove to be worth every penny that the Red Sox have invested in him.
Let's let him pitch a full season before we proclaim him baseball's next Abner Doubleday.
PF....You are right, putting Papelbon back into the closer role was one of if not the smartest decisions to come out of spring training. Just think if Clemens becomes part of that playoff rotation.
