Right after the Red Sox landed outfielder Carl Crawford in their second big free agent signing of the offseason, everyone was screaming and crying for Boston to address their final important concern -- the bullpen. Since then, Theo Epstein has brought in former closer Bobby Jenks and setup man Dan Wheeler. Wheeler has had a WHIP under 1.00 in two of the past three seasons, and he converted 51 of 63 save opportunities for the Rays over that span. Jenks, a two-time all-star with the Chicago White Sox and the MLB record-holder for consecutive batters retired (41), has stirred several rumors that Jonathan Papelbon may be on his way out of Boston. Could that actually be the case? Dustin Pedroia was asked the same question yesterday on WEEI.
“Everything is going to work fine,” Pedroia said. “Pap wants to win. And when he gets the ball in the ninth inning it’s his job to make that happen. Pap I know is kind of a colorful guy, says a lot of things, but the biggest thing on his mind is winning. I know some people don’t think so, but that’s the main thing he thinks about. The toughest job in baseball is being a closer, because you go out there and give up and we lose, everyone points the finger at one guy.”
Regardless of how much some fans -- myself included -- have grown tired of Papelbon and his inefficiency over the past few seasons, the Red Sox absolutely have the makings for a phenomenal back end of the pen this season. With four guys all capable of giving you a shut-down inning or more -- Jenks and Wheeler teaming up with the already present Bard and Papelbon -- the Red Sox are almost eliminating the need to pick up a middle reliever. It's one of the things that excites me about this group. You've got four guys here who are, in my opinion, worthy of being closers for other teams. But they want to win. They'll accept their role. There's a solid chance that Jenks is a 7th inning guy, and the same goes for Wheeler. Wheeler has more experience in that role, but Jenks is certainly sacrificing some of his fame. And above all, let's not forget -- the last time Pedroia said someone would be "fine," it was Big Papi. He turned his season around and belted 32 homers. Hopefully Pap is the beneficiary of that same Pedroia fortune-telling.
Still, you can't ignore the fact that this move potentially sets up the eventual departure of Papelbon. It's the final year of his contract, and it has been no secret that the Sox and Papelbon haven't been the closest of partners from a business standpoint. If he falls short of an all-star caliber season, the Red Sox won't be willing to dish out top dollar for him -- they'll be happy handing the torch to Daniel Bard or Bobby Jenks, depending on their successes this season. Papelbon will still likely seek top dollar. The situation seems appropriate on all fronts. I wouldn't expect Pap to be the Red Sox closer by next Christmas.
Fortunately, we don't have to worry about next Christmas just yet. Or, really, next baseball season, either. Pitchers and catchers still don't report for another few months -- just enjoy the holidays knowing that, just around the corner, a legitimately contending baseball team awaits for the turn of the spring season.
Regardless of how much some fans -- myself included -- have grown tired of Papelbon and his inefficiency over the past few seasons, the Red Sox absolutely have the makings for a phenomenal back end of the pen this season. With four guys all capable of giving you a shut-down inning or more -- Jenks and Wheeler teaming up with the already present Bard and Papelbon -- the Red Sox are almost eliminating the need to pick up a middle reliever. It's one of the things that excites me about this group. You've got four guys here who are, in my opinion, worthy of being closers for other teams. But they want to win. They'll accept their role. There's a solid chance that Jenks is a 7th inning guy, and the same goes for Wheeler. Wheeler has more experience in that role, but Jenks is certainly sacrificing some of his fame. And above all, let's not forget -- the last time Pedroia said someone would be "fine," it was Big Papi. He turned his season around and belted 32 homers. Hopefully Pap is the beneficiary of that same Pedroia fortune-telling.
Still, you can't ignore the fact that this move potentially sets up the eventual departure of Papelbon. It's the final year of his contract, and it has been no secret that the Sox and Papelbon haven't been the closest of partners from a business standpoint. If he falls short of an all-star caliber season, the Red Sox won't be willing to dish out top dollar for him -- they'll be happy handing the torch to Daniel Bard or Bobby Jenks, depending on their successes this season. Papelbon will still likely seek top dollar. The situation seems appropriate on all fronts. I wouldn't expect Pap to be the Red Sox closer by next Christmas.
Fortunately, we don't have to worry about next Christmas just yet. Or, really, next baseball season, either. Pitchers and catchers still don't report for another few months -- just enjoy the holidays knowing that, just around the corner, a legitimately contending baseball team awaits for the turn of the spring season.
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