Papelbon is the closer according ESPN

[MANNYHOF24]

I wanted him to start but this really makes me feel good about our bullpen. I think Taverez will be the 5th starter until Lester is ready.

 

I'll try to find a Link.

 

:thumbsup:

[BoSox21]

damn, you posted this a few seconds before I did

[MANNYHOF24]

No offical annoucment yet, just a reoprt from Erin Andrews who has talked to Red Sox officals this morning.

[BoSox21]

yea I know, I just heard it on The Dan Patrick Show

[EvilDonut]

Well, that makes me feel a lot better. I hope he holds up ok, Whos number 5, Snyder?

[MANNYHOF24]

Well' date=' that makes me feel a lot better. I hope he holds up ok, Whos number 5, Snyder?[/quote']

 

Either Synder or Tavarez. That makes me sick to think about, but Lester should be ready by May, so this is probably the right move.

[BoSox21]

I'd like to see Tavarez as the fifth starter for the beginning of the year, he was impressive late last season as a starter

[EvilDonut]

As would I, Tavarez might still have that shamrock up his ass

[EvilDonut]

It makes sense though why they have Papelbon pitching in relief again.

[adam123]

wow this is great ... taverse will be a good 5th starter he was good comming down the stretch last year .. this could be our year again ..woo hoo

[MANNYHOF24]

It makes sense though why they have Papelbon pitching in relief again.

 

I would agree but the shoulder still is a major concern. Wasn't it about 5 months ago that the doctor said Papelbon has to start?

[ORS]

I don't like it. I mean, it's great for this year, but it's going to be tough to start stretching him out to be a starter at age 27 after two straight years of closing. This feels like a shortsighted move.

[Beckett95]

ESPN is reporting that the Red Sox will announce after Thursday's game that Jonathan Papelbon is going to be shifted back to the bullpen.

 

Even though Papelbon has been publically enthused about the move to the rotation, it sounds like he's requesting the return to the closer's role. A switch would settle a situation that has been a major issue in camp, but the Red Sox would be foolish to make the move based on the media and fan perception of the team's needs. Papelbon would likely be more valuable throwing 200 innings than 70, not that he's a lock to do either. The Red Sox better be confident that a move back to the pen wouldn't put him at any additional risk, and they'd need to put restrictions on how manager Terry Francona is allowed to use him. A change would probably make Julian Tavarez the team's fifth starter initially, with Jon Lester waiting in the wings. Kyle Snyder would also be an option. Mar. 22 - 1:47 pm et

 

rotoworld

[BoSox21]

Red Sox will send Papelbon back to the Bullpen

 

The Boston Red Sox are expected to announce Thursday that Jonathan Papelbon will return to his old job as the team's closer this season, ESPN's Erin Andrews reported.

 

Papelbon had 35 saves and a microscopic 0.92 ERA last season as a closer in his rookie year, but a shoulder problem detected late in the season led the team to decide he would be a starter in 2007.

 

Julian Tavarez and Joel Piniero, both candidates for the closer job, have so far struggled this spring, and Mike Timlin, another closer candidate, will start the season on the DL with a strained oblique muscle.

 

Papelbon's shoulder have lessened, as he has beeen working to strengthen his shoulder. But he won't be asked throw when he's tired and won't close beyond three games in a row, Andrews reported.

 

In the Boston Herald on Thursday, Papelbon voiced his willingness to return to the bullpen.

 

"My door is always open to better a ballclub. That's what it boils down to. If it betters a ballclub, my door is open, let's talk about it, figure it out," Papelbon todl the Herald when asked if he'd consider a return. "For me, I'm going to do what's best for the team. If they go out and get somebody, or somebody finally steps up, and says, 'Hey, I want this role' ... then we go about our business, and everyone's happy. "If not, then we've got to figure something out,' he told the newspaper. "Whether I go back [to the bullpen] or whether I stay starting and wait until the All-Star break, and do something then, we'll have to see. It's not an easy decision."

 

From ESPN.com

[HeadOfSoxNation]

I don't like it. I mean' date=' it's great for this year, but it's going to be tough to start stretching him out to be a starter at age 27 after two straight years of closing. This feels like a shortsighted move.[/quote']

 

I agree...especially after all of the shoulder talk. Is there any marquee FA closers after this season? I'm hoping that, if Paps isn't their long-term solution, that they're going to be very careful with him this year, try to squeeze one last year of closing out of him, and then make a move this offseason and get him into the rotation come 08. This makes me feel good about the 9th inning of games...but it also makes me pretty unsure about the 1st-7th innings of games every fourth day in the years to come. Let's hope it works.

[EvilDonut]

I would agree but the shoulder still is a major concern. Wasn't it about 5 months ago that the doctor said Papelbon has to start?

 

yes, But i'd imagine if they put him on some strict restrictions, and if theyve been working on getting his shoulder stronger, maybe he'll be ok? Im no doctor

 

I don't like it. I mean, it's great for this year, but it's going to be tough to start stretching him out to be a starter at age 27 after two straight years of closing. This feels like a shortsighted move

 

Maybe by next year well have one of the B's ready to take his place. Being optimistic.

[EvilDonut]

I agree...especially after all of the shoulder talk. Is there any marquee FA closers after this season? I'm hoping that' date=' if Paps isn't their long-term solution, that they're going to be very careful with him this year, try to squeeze one last year of closing out of him, and then make a move this offseason and get him into the rotation come 08. This makes me feel good about the 9th inning of games...but it also makes me pretty unsure about the 1st-7th innings of games every fourth day in the years to come. Let's hope it works.[/quote']

 

I believe this is Nathans last year with the Twins

[TGov]

It's great to have a quality pitcher like Papelbon who can close like he did... but I'd rather see him start, I think he will be a very good starter, and I don't want his career to be ruined over 1 or 2 years of closing... Im just worried about his shoulder, but if this is what will get the closer issue over and done with, I guess it's the right decision... I just wish they told Pap this before hand so he could have built up his shoulder a little more, so he can make it through the year... But I bet he's already doing that because of what happened last year... And this also opens up a slot for Lester in a few months... Whatever happens, GO SOX!

[VA Sox Fan]

Thank God! I don't think they had a choice. Tavarez, Snyder and eventually Lester will do fine in the rotation. They can always bring Gabbard back up. They don't have those options where a closer is concerned.

 

Now bring on Opening Day, the Sox are set and Jacko will be pissed!

[Soxfan1]

Can Piniero still start?

[CrespoBlows]

Can't say I like this move, either. Papelbon's far more useful getting 600 outs out of that arm, compared to only 250 out of the closers role.

 

Chad Cordero could probably be had for Bowden and Ellsbury. They probably should go that route.

 

EDIT* Perhaps Roger Clemens will be filling the 5th starter hole?

[CrespoBlows]

Can Piniero still start?

 

He probably could, but would you really want to see that?

[EvilDonut]

Can Piniero still start?

 

Yikes, Tavarez, Snyder, Gabbard, and Hansack would all be preferred over Pinero id think. They only wanted Joel because of his ability last year out of the pen.

[adam123]

Can Piniero still start?

 

glad i make you laugh .. my job is done

[CrespoBlows]

Thank God! I don't think they had a choice. Tavarez, Snyder and eventually Lester will do fine in the rotation. They can always bring Gabbard back up. They don't have those options where a closer is concerned.

 

Now bring on Opening Day, the Sox are set and Jacko will be pissed!

 

The first four better throw complete games, because the pen is going to be doing a lot of mop up duty when the fifth starter takes his place on the mound.

 

Seriously, what the hell do you guys see in Kyle Snyder? Him getting skull f***ed after the fourth inning wasn't enough? Julian Tavarez? Calling him a success after four starts in September? Laughable.

[castigs850]

I'm on the fence on this one, unless of course paps gets hurt, that'd sway my decision a bit. Honestly i dont think that they would move him back to the closers role without knowing his shoulder can take it simply because it would be foolish. If he can stay healthy this is great because not only is our closers role is filled but it takes one guy out of the log jam that will be our rotation in the near future with the three B's and lester, of course optimism only goes as far as Paps long term health and i think if he is in the bullpen this year he should always be, until he proves he cant handle it, rather than bouncing him back and forth

[HeadOfSoxNation]

 

Chad Cordero could probably be had for Bowden and Ellsbury. They probably should go that route.

 

That's too much to give up for Cordero, IMO. Especially if Paps is only a stopgap for the year and they've got something else in the works for the offseason.

[rician blast]

If this is true, I'd have to agree with my esteemed colleague Mr. Crunchy and conclude the FO is rudderless.

[TGov]

That's too much to give up for Cordero' date=' IMO. Especially if Paps is only a stopgap for the year and they've got something else in the works for the offseason.[/quote']

 

I agree... Cordero is good but not that good to be had for 2 of our top prospects...

 

EDIT: And another thing on the Bullpen move, I really think they should have at least gave Pineiro, Donnelly and Tavarez a shot at closing... If they failed then move Pap back... but do you think there confidence will be shot because they didn't even get a chance...?

[Cocos Disciples]

This opens up the Clemens possibility further.