A Realistic View at 2016

[sk7326]

John Farrell moves to his comfort food......Abad has been a huge disappointment....

 

I wonder what it would have taken to get Miller back....

 

Given what the Yanks got - almost certainly too much

[SoxnCycles]

I don't care if they sign him - but he lacks the flexibility needed to be a quality set-up person, as well as (now) the stuff. With the rotation injuries piling up, signing him is better than nothing - but just barely.

 

If it's just a case of paying the remainer of his salary, it's worth a shot.

The worst thing that can happen is the Sox also have to release him.

 

If there are other options to improve the bullpen, I don't know what they may be.

[a700hitter]

Oh, Kimmi. I almost always agree with your viewpoints, but this is your worst in awhile. We have 3 closers. I'm not a believer that acquiring a closer to do anything but close is good for his psyche. Plus, he's moody, and he's already having his worst year ever. Yes, the bullpen is shaky, but Papelbon would be the bull in the china shop to this team.

His teammates liked him and so did Farrell . Lester has been enlisted by Theo to lobby Paps to go to the Cubs.

[greenwell]

If it's just a case of paying the remainer of his salary, it's worth a shot.

The worst thing that can happen is the Sox also have to release him.

 

If there are other options to improve the bullpen, I don't know what they may be.

 

I'd rather see Joe Kelly come up.

[a700hitter]

I'd rather see Joe Kelly come up.

Gagging.

 

i saw Papelbon pitch against the Mets at Citifield not that long ago. His velocity is not what it used to be, but he was very effective. I think people underestimate how well that he knows his craft. His velocity has been down for 3-4 years but he has managed to be very successful for years now without it. I am not one to cherry pick, but he had a couple of god awful blow up games when he came off the DL. Before that stretch, he was having another very successful season.

[Bellhorn04]

I'd rather see Joe Kelly come up.

 

Good old Joe...he always inspires optimism for some reason.

[a700hitter]

Good old Joe...he always inspires optimism for some reason.

Yes, if he is on your side in Call of Duty.

[mvp 78]

His teammates liked him and so did Farrell . Lester has been enlisted by Theo to lobby Paps to go to the Cubs.

 

If he goes to the Cubs, my hatred for them will be complete...

[a700hitter]

If he goes to the Cubs, my hatred for them will be complete...

We need another bullpen arm. You don't think he can help us? Isn't he worth the investment of the prorated minimum salary to find out?

[mvp 78]

We need another bullpen arm. You don't think he can help us? Isn't he worth the investment of the prorated minimum salary to find out?

 

If they sign him, I'll hold my nose the way the Yanks did with ARod and Chapman. But the FO knows far more than me so whatever they decide is best for business.

 

Anyway, I thought Papelbon was going to announce his signing Wednesday AM? Well, we're waiting...

[mvp 78]

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2016/08/16/nick-cafardo-there-downside-adding-jonathan-papelbon/IpnAEJ3LIhGPY5oShductK/story.html

 

Cafardo says there is no downside to Papelbon.

 

I'M OUT!!!

[User Name]

A Cafardo fluff piece? Welcome back Jonathan Papelbon!

[mvp 78]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/columnists/steve_buckley/2016/08/buckley_bad_idea_for_red_sox_to_bring_back_jonathan_papelbon

 

Buckley says it's a bad idea.

 

NOW I'M ONLY HALFWAY OUT AGAIN!

[mvp 78]

What do the Nationals think?

 

“He was a great teammate,” Baker told reporters. “He was popular with his teammates. We wish Pap the best and he wished us the best. He wanted us to win (the World Series). Those were his parting words.”

 

Max Scherzer spoke for his teammates about the level of respect for Papelbon in their clubhouse.

 

“He’s not a distraction whatsoever,” Scherzer said. “He comes in to play every single day, he works his absolute tail off and he competes on the mound for us. All that stuff, last year … just media circus. We were 100 percent behind him. We understood all his intentions. He was great for our team. He was great for everybody in this clubhouse. To sit here and say he’s a bad teammate or anything like that, it’s garbage to me.”

[mvp 78]

What does Tomase think about it? Back in 2013, he didn't want Papelbon back. If it's the same now, I'm back in.

 

I go the opposite of whatever the prevailing opinion is by Tomase + Buckley + Cafardo.

[a700hitter]

A Cafardo fluff piece? Welcome back Jonathan Papelbon!

is it a done deal?

[User Name]

'twas a joke.

[SoxnCycles]

"And what about that Washington Post report stating that Pap was blasting the “Vote for Trump” anthem in the clubhouse? Hey, nothing wrong with Pap supporting the candidate of his choice."

 

 

Riiight, Buck...

Pretty much sums up the issue that Buckley has with Papelbon.

[mvp 78]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox/clubhouse_insider/2016/08/mike_hazen_red_sox_in_wait_and_see_mode_on_jonathan

 

"Red Sox general manager Mike Hazen said he spoke to president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski Wednesday morning and there was no update on Jonathan Papelbon, who remains a free agent.

 

"There’s no update as of right now," Hazen said midday in a radio interview on WEEI with Lou Merloni and Mike Mutnansky. "We’re just kind of in a wait-and-see (mode)."

 

"This is a time of year where a manager has to ride guys in certain cases... you can just never have enough quality good bullpen guys."

 

Hazen spoke of the dearth of options for improving a team once August arrives and trades can be made only if a player passes through waivers. As far as Pap's personality, Hazen noted, "When the game starts to ratchet up in intensity, you know I agree, sometimes a little crazy goes a long way."

 

Hazen said the team has not held September call-up talks yet, but the early returns from Yoan Moncada at third base have been positive — when he's playing. Moncada has been out of the Double-A Portland lineup lately because of a left ankle sprain.

 

"A little residual ankle soreness," Hazen said. "So far, so good (at third). I think he’s handed himself well. ... I do think it’s going to help him move faster."

 

Verstaility and position switches have helped other Sox players move quickly in the past, Hazen emphasized."

[mvp 78]

http://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2016/08/17/lets-close-the-debate-on-jonathan-papelbon-right-now

 

"But what would any team be getting? According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, “Papelbon had an 11.37 ERA in eight games after the All-Star break, but he has been very effective when used after some rest. With two days between his appearances, hitters are 1-for-13 against him this season. Less than two days’ rest, and he has been rocked.”

[Bellhorn04]

http://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2016/08/17/lets-close-the-debate-on-jonathan-papelbon-right-now

 

"But what would any team be getting? According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, “Papelbon had an 11.37 ERA in eight games after the All-Star break, but he has been very effective when used after some rest. With two days between his appearances, hitters are 1-for-13 against him this season. Less than two days’ rest, and he has been rocked.”

 

One of his nicknames used to be Cinnabon.

[Spudboy]

We need another bullpen arm. You don't think he can help us? Isn't he worth the investment of the prorated minimum salary to find out?

 

Assuming he is healthy that is a no brainer.

[mvp 78]

Papelbon wants an extra year from whatever team signs him.

 

ROFLCOPTER

[Kimmi]

Papelbon wants an extra year from whatever team signs him.

 

ROFLCOPTER

 

Well if that's the case, forget about it. Much of the appeal was that he didn't cost anything.

[mvp 78]

Well if that's the case, forget about it. Much of the appeal was that he didn't cost anything.

 

Plus, if he doesn't the extra year, he wants a prome pitching slot to be showcased for FA. Yuck.

[S5Dewey]

Amazing. He's been essentially released from baseball. Does he really think that he's in a position to be making bargaining demands? If he has a team who'll take him he should shut up and jump at the offer.

[moonslav59]

Amazing. He's been essentially released from baseball. Does he really think that he's in a position to be making bargaining demands? If he has a team who'll take him he should shut up and jump at the offer.

 

Yes, and if he does well, his role will increase in importance, and his stock will rise.

[S5Dewey]

Yes, and if he does well, his role will increase in importance, and his stock will rise.

 

Oh, I understand that. What I don't understand is why he thinks he has the leverage to get it. Does he think that some owner is going to do him the favor of giving him more than they absolutely have to just so he MIGHT boost his value?

 

Of course, owners do stupid stuff sometimes.

[moonslav59]

Oh, I understand that. What I don't understand is why he thinks he has the leverage to get it. Does he think that some owner is going to do him the favor of giving him more than they absolutely have to just so he MIGHT boost his value?

 

Of course, owners do stupid stuff sometimes.

 

I agree. I didn;t mean to imply you felt different. I was just adding onto your post.

[a700hitter]

Plus, if he doesn't the extra year, he wants a prome pitching slot to be showcased for FA. Yuck.

If he wasn't such a dick and he came here and succeeded as a setup guy, he would get some attention down the stretch. He would probably even get a few save opportunities.