MLB - Sports Rumors

Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:57 am EDT

Boston Red Sox trading closer Papelbon?

By Mark Miller

“JonathanCloser Jonathan Papelbon(notes) has been an All-Star for the Boston Red Sox since he came into the league in 2006. He's saved 151 games for the team and is the owner of the record for the most consecutive scoreless innings in the postseason with 26. And now the team is supposedly considering trading him.

ESPN's Steve Phillips said as much in an interview on WEEI radio. He says Papelbon will be used to bring a big bat to Boston, which is good because Jason Bay(notes) supposedly wants to move back to the West Coast, where he has a home in Seattle.

After all, the guy has two more years on his contract and there aren't many good closers that will be available this winter through free agency. If Papelbon does get moved, though, he'll have to choose a new entrance song. He currently arrives at the mound to "I'm Shipping Up to Boston," by the Dropkick Murphys.

Source: WEEINew Window

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158 Comments

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  1. soxgirl54
    1. Posted by soxgirl54 Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:21 am EDT

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    AND THE RUMOR MILL continues hope i'm having a nightmare i will roll over and go back 2 sleep
  2. carefreeguy09
    2. Posted by carefreeguy09 Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:49 am EDT

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    Well love, if you're having a nightmare, care to come crawl into be with me??? I'll hold you good and tight;-P Grrrrr!!!! LOL!!!
  3. dagoldeneagle
    3. Posted by dagoldeneagle Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:07 am EDT

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    someone should make papelbon a starter again.
    he can be an ace.
    red sox should bring wagner back to close for them. he's one of the greatest closer of all time.
  4. Matt P
    4. Posted by Matt P Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:31 am EDT

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    wagner might be retiring though, maybe bard? He throws pretty hard and with accuracy. so why not?
  5. Brian P
    5. Posted by Brian P Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:40 am EDT

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    this is dumb... flat out dumb.. to trade him would be a huge mistake..
  6. I said good day sir!
    6. Posted by I said good day sir! Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:01 am EDT

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    Trade him...anyone can close. Its the most overrated position on a baseball team!
  7. Kellys Tavern
    7. Posted by Kellys Tavern Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:01 am EDT

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    Notice there are no quotes. Stupid is as stipid does. Yahoo rumor mills are just that...... stupid!
  8. MATT E
    8. Posted by MATT E Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:31 am EDT

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    he DOES NOT own that record, rivera does, and whitey ford is second, paple [profane] might be third though
  9. Educated Cheese
    9. Posted by Educated Cheese Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:46 am EDT

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    Closer is definitely the most over-rated position. If Bay leaves (or even if he doesn't) getting an OF or 3B or SS with a good bat is worth it. Paps has already stated he wants to test the free agent waters if he doesn't get a deal that he feels is worth his value and these days player's contracts are only good up to 2 years before the end of the contract because no one wants to keep a guy til he's a free agent then get nothing for him in return when he walks, except maybe a draft pick. Package him, get a bat, life goes on.
  10. Drew
    10. Posted by Drew Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:59 am EDT

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    Closer role is not entirely overrated. Because without a great closer the dominoes fall throughout the rest of your bullpen.
  11. Flats
    11. Posted by Flats Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:26 am EDT

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    wont' happen
  12. joecas7
    12. Posted by joecas7 Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:31 am EDT

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    he wants to be a starter anyway so I can see why he would be open to a different scenery and the sox could get a few players in exchange if they throw in some prospects.
  13. JustinB
    13. Posted by JustinB Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:37 am EDT

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    26 scoreless innings was the team record, stop overreacting Matt E
  14. Mike J
    14. Posted by Mike J Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:56 am EDT

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    Papelbon hasn't been right for most of this year. I wouldn't consider him a shut down closer as he gave up to many hits and walks. My hope is that he works on an offspeed pitch or master his slider or learns to throw a cutter like Mariano. Batters are just waiting on his fastball without being able to throw another pitch for strikes. If the Sox can get something for him fine, if not then I hope Papelbon reinvents himself over the offseason and actually plays in to the Red Sox offseason conditioning program.
  15. Scott M
    15. Posted by Scott M Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:56 am EDT

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    GOOD i hope it brings a big bat,he is not that good....
  16. Crux
    16. Posted by Crux Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:02 am EDT

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    Bard power.
  17. str A's hooter
    17. Posted by str A's hooter Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:08 am EDT

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    The lyrics of the entrance song can be changed to "I'm shipping down to New York"! No problem.
  18. Jo Bangles
    18. Posted by Jo Bangles Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:22 am EDT

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    The Dodgers could use him to set up for Broxton next year. We'll give you Manny for him!
  19. dagoldeneagle
    19. Posted by dagoldeneagle Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:37 am EDT

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    get rid of papelbon.
    wagner could close and if he retires, bard, okajima, saito, and ramon ramirez could all close.
    basically almost any good reliever can close.
  20. dagoldeneagle
    20. Posted by dagoldeneagle Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:37 am EDT

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    the notion that closers are somehow better than other relievers is a joke.
  21. str A's hooter
    21. Posted by str A's hooter Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:38 am EDT

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    BoJangles, The entrance song lyrics can be changed to "I'm shipping west to LA" just as easily! No problem, again!
  22. str A's hooter
    22. Posted by str A's hooter Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:54 am EDT

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    Papelbon's walk to strikeout ratio skyrocketed this past season, from 8 walks/77 K's in 2008 to 24walks/76 K's in 2009, which is a sign he is starting to "lose it" and is "overthrowing". That is why Papelbon in on the trading block, while he still has some trading value.
  23. Dom
    23. Posted by Dom Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:04 am EDT

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    I think the Red Soxs should keep Papelbon. He's still one of the elite closers of the game. They should also try to keep Jason Bay instead of going for Matt Holiday because knowing Scott Boras its going to be the Texeira nightmare once again.
  24. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    24. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:09 am EDT

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    No way this happens.
  25. Eric
    25. Posted by Eric Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:12 am EDT

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    Agree with post 14. Papelbon throws just one pitch fastball and not all sure if he is a mental case or not. Boston is in need of a bat with or without Bay. Second year in a row that Ortiz done badly in the post season need to fill the 3B or 1st (youk to 3B), Lh and SS. And a new batting coach.

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