a700hitter

KRod is vested for 2012 to make $13 million.

Like who?

The per season cost was no more than the Sox paid Papelbon in 2011. He's only 30. I think he will hold up until age 34.

He'll be playing against us, because in friggin interleague we get to play Philly while the yanks play the hapless Mets.

They cannot replace him. It took 40 years for them to get a closer like him. They aren't getting another one like him for a while. It just ain't gonna happen.

He is the best closer in Red Sox history and he is one of the best in the game.

But not a closer like Papelbon.

It will happen. I have been waiting for the day when Mo's arm falls off, because i strongly believe that when they lose that security blanket the Yankees will no longer be consistently successful. Instead we let our stud closer and 9th inning security blanket walk. This will not work out well.

None of these are comparable to Papelebon. I have noted my reasons. BTW, if you wanted to make a fair comparison, you should have noted that a number of these closers were hugely successful through age 34 (e.g. Nathan, Wagner and Hoffman) which is when Papelbon's new contract will end. 2) Lidge 2009-2011, Never had Papelbon's consistency or success-- just not as good 3)K-rod 2009-2011, Stats okay, 6 blown saves per year, but he turned into a PR/clubhouse nightmare. Stats okay. That's really all that matters. He's still a performer 4)Joe Nathan 2008-2011 Signed his contract at age 34-- older than Papelbon 5) Soriano 2011--2013 Same age as Papelbon, but never had Papelbon's consistency or success-- simply not as good as Papelbon 6) Billy Wagner 2006-2009 --Older than Papelbon-- signed his contract at age 34 7)Trevor Hoffman 2010-- 5.89 ERA.Way older than Papelbon-- signed his contract at age 39 8) Kerry Wood --2009-2010, Not comparable in any way shape or form to Papelbon 9) Broxton 2010-2011-- Broxton never had Papelbon's consistency and success. He's just not as good

They talent was overhyped. Lackey was a bag of garbage. You and I knew that Dice K was an overhyped disaster. Wakefield had become a fossil. We had fossils on the bench like Cameron and Varitek, and an untested catcher in Salty. Our bullpen blew after Papelbon, Bard and Aceves.

And this jerk protege of Theo's can't even find a manager. Memo to Ben, the manager ain't that important. The talent on the field is what is important.

I never liked this Soccer ownership thing. It can't be good for the Red Sox.

... or Papelbon as we will see.

The report said 4 years "approaching" $50 million. It may not even be $50 million.