Sox, Papelbon agree to 1 year deal.

[Cocos Disciples]

Keith Foulke had a pretty awesome 2004.

 

Papelbon's 2007 was better, though in less IP.

 

Paps: 1.85 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 256 ERA+, 84 K, 15 BB in 58 1/3 IP

Foulke: 2.17 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 225 ERA+, 79 K, 15 BB in 83 IP

[Dipre]

Keith Foulke had a pretty awesome 2004.

 

Foulke's 2004 can't touch Pap's 2006 or 2007, even if Foulke did have close to 20 more IPs, the peripherals are not even close.

[TheKilo]

I understand, but Foulke was really, really good in Chicago and Oakland before coming here, and ruined his career for the WS title in 2004.

 

Papelbon's the best, but Foulke was very, very good and I think many Red Sox fans have the tendency to forget that.

[Dojji]

Foulke had a smaller margin for error because of his average fastball velocity. His stuff, command, and execution were brilliant, but once things started going downhill he was already using all the stuff Papelbon has at his disposal to reinvent himself when he runs into the same problems.

[msubulldogs21]

I understand, but Foulke was really, really good in Chicago and Oakland before coming here, and ruined his career for the WS title in 2004.

 

Papelbon's the best, but Foulke was very, very good and I think many Red Sox fans have the tendency to forget that.

 

Foulke's 2004 was fantastic. I remember how thrilled I was when I heard we signed him from Oakland the winter before. By the time the playoffs came around he had so much wear and tear on him he looked like he might buckle at the knees at any given moment. If anyone truly sold out his body, it was Keith Foulke.

[Redguitar985]

The only concern I have with Papelbon is whether his shoulder issues will ever come back to bother him. But the team has handled him so well the last two years, I doubt it. He definitely has a chance to be the team's closer for a long time.

 

Foulke was awesome too when we needed him the most. Oakland signed him last year, but I guess it didn't work out since I never heard anything about him during the season.

[BSN07]

The FO can't operate with the philosophy that they need to give out stupid deals to anyone who might become a Yankee

 

That wasn't what I was trying to say. I know they shouldn't operate in that manner, it would be very dumb. I was mainly saying they will not be able to penny pinch with him. And if they do choose that path, then they and fans alike should be ready for the Yankees to swoop in on him.

 

 

Mo's done in a couple of years, and everyone knows that the Yankees like to pluck players from the Sox. Papelbon would be their ultimate wet dream scenario:D

[italstallianion]

We'll just overuse him beforehand like the Brewers with CC Sabathia...we may even get Papelbon fat as well...

 

We will make good use out of the Yankees draft picks...

[Dipre]

We'll just overuse him beforehand like the Brewers with CC Sabathia...we may even get Papelbon fat as well...

 

We will make good use out of the Yankees draft picks...

 

Classic.

 

I like you.

 

Stick around.

[Dojji]

This Papelbon-to-the-Yankees thing is approaching a paranoia level terror for you bsn07. Just let come what may. RIght now he hasn't and it still can be prevented since we know Theo is willing to pay his prospects to keep them around. No need to be jumping off cliffs before Theo even has the choice of whether to let him go or not.

 

At about the point we need to make that call, Lars Anderson will be replacing either Ortiz or Lowell in the lineup and that money will be freed to pay Paps. it can be handled.

[BSN07]

This Papelbon-to-the-Yankees thing is approaching a paranoia level terror for you bsn07. Just let come what may. RIght now he hasn't and it still can be prevented since we know Theo is willing to pay his prospects to keep them around. No need to be jumping off cliffs before Theo even has the choice of whether to let him go or not.

 

At about the point we need to make that call, Lars Anderson will be replacing either Ortiz or Lowell in the lineup and that money will be freed to pay Paps. it can be handled.

 

Dojji if you pay attention to my posts you should be able to figure out I'm not a"tinfoil on head" guy. I'm realistic though. And if he signs with the Yanks, so be it. I won't stop watching or anything like that. But there are some on here that will probably fall off that cliff you spoke of. I figured if I put the possibility of it happening out there now, maybe the shock will be less if it where to take place.

 

But I also realize there is the possibility of him re signing too.

 

Don't kid yourself. Just because that money is freed up, doesn't make it available to Papelbon. The team has the resources to outbid most everyone, but the choose not to. So them having more payroll flexibility isn't that much of an issue. They have a strategy/system, and will treat him the same as everyother player they negotiate contracts with. They will have a value set for him, and if he wants considerably more, they will let him walk. Just like they have done with everyone else.

[a700hitter]

This Papelbon-to-the-Yankees thing is approaching a paranoia level terror for you bsn07. Just let come what may. RIght now he hasn't and it still can be prevented since we know Theo is willing to pay his prospects to keep them around. No need to be jumping off cliffs before Theo even has the choice of whether to let him go or not.

 

At about the point we need to make that call, Lars Anderson will be replacing either Ortiz or Lowell in the lineup and that money will be freed to pay Paps. it can be handled.

Losing Papelbon to the Yankees would be like a bad re-run to me. I remember the trade of Sparky Lyle. In 40 years, Papelbon is the best closer that I have seen in a Red Sox uniform. The theory that closers are overrated applies to your average closer, e.g Brandon Lyon, etc. not guys like Papelbon or Mo Rivera. They change a game. They make your season. When Mo is done so will be the consistency of the Yankees. The Red Sox don't have another pitcher in the organization to fill his shoes. There is probably not another closer in the game to fill his shoes. The FO should make him a keeper if they are convinced that his health is not an issue.

[BSN07]

Losing Papelbon to the Yankees would be like a bad re-run to me. I remember the trade of Sparky Lyle. In 40 years' date=' Papelbon is the best closer that I have seen in a Red Sox uniform. The theory that closers are overrated applies to your average closer, e.g Brandon Lyon, etc. not guys like Papelbon or Mo Rivera. They change a game. They make your season. When Mo is done so will be the consistency of the Yankees. The Red Sox don't have another pitcher in the organization to fill his shoes. There is probably not another closer in the game to fill his shoes. The FO should make him a keeper if they are convinced that his health is not an issue.[/quote']

 

This is how the fan in me thinks. I agree the Sox should open the purse for him. This part of me also can't see Theo letting Papelbon close in NY. But at what point do they stray from the teams philosophy?

 

 

The realist in me see's the Sox sticking to their guns, even if it mean he's closing in NY.

[italstallianion]

I agree with most of the posts (Thanks for the shoutout DipreG) although I can see Papelbon pulling a Johnny Damon, it shouldn't happen in the near future. I believe that if for some reason Epstein and company let Papelbon go, it would be because they felt something was wrong with him. I don't think they'd willingly let a healthy and dominant Papelbon go to the Yankees.

 

Papelbon does seem greedier than some of the other Sox players, but again that is just my opinion. I won't worry about it until he actually sells his soul, errhm...signs with the Yankees. For the record I want Papelbon on the Sox as long as humanly possible.

[Redguitar985]

The fact they gave Papelbon the $6.25 million this year says they're serious. I would think Theo would really go all out to keep Papelbon in Boston because unlike Teixeira and Damon, Theo drafted him and he's been a Red Sox his entire career.

[CrespoBlows]

The fact they gave Papelbon the $6.25 million this year says they're serious. I would think Theo would really go all out to keep Papelbon in Boston because unlike Teixeira and Damon' date=' Theo drafted him and he's been a Red Sox his entire career.[/quote']

 

I hope that's not the case.

[italstallianion]

Although, one should point out that Tex was originally drafted by the Red Sox...and didn't sign. If only we were able to sign some of the better players that we drafted that got away. Errrgghh.

[Redguitar985]

Although' date=' one should point out that Tex was originally drafted by the Red Sox...and didn't sign. If only we were able to sign some of the better players that we drafted that got away. Errrgghh.[/quote']

 

Yeah, but then Theo didn't draft him. Haha, it would've been Duquette I think?

[italstallianion]

Yeah' date=' but then Theo didn't draft him. Haha, it would've been Duquette I think?[/quote']

 

Theo did draft Pedro Alvarez though (and he didn't sign) along with 2 other people that ended up being 1st round picks that year. Dykstra was one, and I forget the other. I wonder what our team would have been like if they all signed.

 

(shakes fist at prospects that didn't sign w/ Boston)

[Dojji]

No one signs all their prospects. You draft some guys just because you'd be crazy to pass on them and let them fall to a rival but there's guys who just won't sign at all because they think they can get a better bonus if they wait a year.

 

At least we did better than NYY who didn't even sign their #1 last year.

[a700hitter]

This is how the fan in me thinks. I agree the Sox should open the purse for him. This part of me also can't see Theo letting Papelbon close in NY. But at what point do they stray from the teams philosophy?

 

 

The realist in me see's the Sox sticking to their guns, even if it mean he's closing in NY.

Letting the best closer that the team has had in 40 years and arguably the best closer in the game is not a good philosophy. There are plenty of other overpaid knuckleheads that are not the best players in the game. Those are the guys you let walk.

[TheKilo]

How much are you willing to give Papelbon on a 4 or 5 year deal?

 

I'd offer him anywhere between 4-40 and 5-55.

[a700hitter]

How much are you willing to give Papelbon on a 4 or 5 year deal?

 

I'd offer him anywhere between 4-40 and 5-55.

He should get whatever the market is for the best closer in baseball, because that is what he is.

[TheKilo]

Rivera got 3/45 last season, and KRod just got 3/37.5.

 

I think you can get him for 4/48.

[JimEdHOF2009]

Papelbon will be locked up soon enough. Given his age and virtual infallability during the post-season--including last year when he was topping out at 92 vs. the D-Rays and still domintaing, there is no reason he should accept anything less than a Rivera-type deal. Papelbon is what the Red Sox always wished they had. Had it been Papelbon in 1986 and not Schiraldi, I think we can all agree that fabled Mets comeback would have never taken place.

 

Papelbon should be the Red Sox top priority going forward. I wouldn't be surprised to see he and Bay locked up before the season begins. The Sox took care of Youks and Pedroia..as well they should...Now it is time to lock up the most reliable post-season reliever the Red Sox have ever had. When all is said and done, I believe Papelbon will be considered one of, if not the best closer(s) ever.. when post-season performance is factored in.. His stats look like some of my MLB Show closers..almost too good to fathom.

[BSN07]

Rivera got 3/45 last season, and KRod just got 3/37.5.

 

I think you can get him for 4/48.

 

I would think that could work...

 

Something like,

 

4 year deal, 5th year option

 

10- 10M

11- 12M

12- 12M

13- 14M

 

14- 15M

[Dojji]

I could see Paps going for that.

[rician blast]

I don't think the fact that this FO drafted Paps has any bearing on their desire to keep him...it's his performance that drives their desire to retain him.

[TheKilo]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1152479

 

The right-hander disclosed that he turned down a two-year deal in the range of $15-16 million before accepting a one-year, $6.25 million contract last month, avoiding arbitration.

 

“We tried to do a long-term deal, but it never really came to a head,” he said.

 

According to Papelbon, the Red Sox made the two-year offer after turning down his request for a four-year deal.

 

“But am I willing to give up money that I deserve? Hell no,” Papelbon said. “And for me that outweighs security. That’s just the way I look at it. I know other players look at it differently, but for me, giving up money I feel I deserve for security, I don’t know about that.”

 

During the offseason, second baseman Dustin Pedroia [stats] and first baseman Kevin Youkilis [stats] both signed long-term deals with the Red Sox, giving up potential earnings for a measure of security.

 

Papelbon admitted that, “If I blow my shoulder out, it’s a lot tougher than if they blow their knee out.

 

“But I’m a gambling man, I guess,” he said. “I already have a little security. What’s the difference between $80 million and $100 million over the course of your career? I’m from Mississippi, man. Rent ain’t too high in Mississippi, man. That’s just me.”

 

His inability to land a four-year deal aside, Papelbon feels the club has treated him well.

 

“I can’t say that just because we don’t have a long-term deal in place that they’ve never given me what I want,” he said.

[BSN07]

I'm disappointed the Sox wouldn't go 4 years. It doesn't seem that unreasonable. If they won't go 4 years now in his prime, my earlier statement of Paps going to the highest bidder seems more likely.