CrespoBlows

You've got to be kidding. Do you really think that Kei Igawa and Carl Pavano will block Roger Clemens?

No, the move certainly dimishes hope. We would have had 5 good starting pitchers, with Lester in reserve, in case of injury. With those pitcher giving you QS, about 75% of the time, the bullpen would not be relied upon to pitch a whole lot. Most of the innings would be absorbed by the starting rotation. Now? We have four good starters, and one terrible one. Plus, we don't have the luxury of holding Lester in reserve any more. As soon as he looks ready to pitch, you better bet your ass he's going to pitch. I won't even go into the injury scenarios. Every pitcher, besides Matsuzaka, moves up a spot. I had Papelbon down as the second best pitcher in the rotation. I don't think we're moving the number five to closer, the number two is now our closer. Again, ace pitchers > closers. The worst part about this move is that the bullpen, that we all pissed and moaned about, now has to throw more innings. I hope we can find a bridge from the fifth to the ninth, when Kason Gabbard is making his second fill in spot in July. Wow. You love small sample sizes. After years of failure as a pitcher, Julian Tavarez proved he was a winner with four games in September? Good f***ing God, That's worse than putting Kason Gabbard over Tim Wakefield.

I believe him, but he's guilty of A-Rod like media-friendliness. Two weeks ago, he said he wanted to be a starter for the rest of his life, now he wants to be a closer? On the issue of the closer you said that Chad Cordero would be worth Bowden and Ellsbury, and I absolutely agree. The Red Sox should have kept Papelbon where he was at, and acquired a good closer. I had Papelbon down for a low 3.00 ERA, and possibly 200 K's. Ace pitchers > Shut-down closers. This move is all too typical of a panic move. Giving up those players for Cordero may have been one too, but then we would have both roles filled. I believe Mr. Clemens has a front office job waiting for him as soon as he hangs up his cleets, and you and I both know that, that job is not in Boston or New York. He's a freaking legend in Houston, he's probably as revered as Nolan Ryan. Plus, throw in the fact that he's going to get the same $20 million (pro-rated) that either Boston or New York is going to offer, and his home is 20 miles away from his work. Why would he turn that job down? Don't get me wrong, I would love Roger Clemens to pitch for the Red Sox in 2007. I would s*** myself, but I don't forsee that happening. (Unless Houston completely bombs in the first half of the season) OK, I'm probably guilty of not having a good point on the Papelbon issue, but can you seriously name one good reason why he'd go to Boston OR New York. (That's for Yankee fans)

Why would Clemens ruin his legacy in Houston, to come to Boston? Because it......? Makes a good media story?

He won't be anywhere else other than Houston in 2007.

:lol: The greatest point ever made in Talksox history.

Why? Elite starters > Elite closers PERIOD.

1. Denial - Thinking Kason Gabbard was a passable option as a starter 2. Anger - This post 3. Bargaining - Trade idea 4. Depression 5. Acceptance (We'll fill this in as the season progresses)

What did you think Papelbon was going to do as a starter this year?

That's not fair. Rhodes finally got the ball when he was 34 years old. In order to fully determine is ability to be a closer, we needed to see him in his prime.

I think he meant, it's an overrated stat. You could put any mediocre reliever in the ninth inning, and he would get a lot of saves. Shawn Chacon had 35 saves as a closer in one year. Do you want to take a guess at his ERA?

No, that ball bounced inbounds. That was a good call.

I'd rather have a pitcher get 600 outs, rather than only 180 outs. The Red Sox could have found someone who could have pitched one solid inning. It's going to be harder to find one who can pitch six solid his turn out.

Jon Papelbon.

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.

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

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?

If no one wants Helton at the price the Rockies are currently offering, with the exception of the Red Sox, what makes you think the Red Sox can deal him?