Papelbon
Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 12:09 pm
Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder will be getting the majority of the ink when the Hot Stove heats up. As they should, they could be difference makers for whatever team signs them.
As fas as intrigue goes though, it doesn't get much better than Jonathon Papelbon.
Last year, Rafael Soriano coming off a wonderful year of closing for the Rays swam the free agent waters. And found there weren't very many teams fishing. Soriano would have preferred closing, but after squeezing teams that needed a closer for more money and not succeeding, he acquiesced and settled for a set-up gig. The money from the Yankees equaled that of another team paying for a closer.
Soriano's contract is three years at 35 million smackeroos.
Papelbon made 12 million this year, his last year of arbitration with the Red Sox.
The Phils, White Sox, Cardinals, and Dodgers could use a defined closer. Although all of these teams have closers within their organizations, but they do not have 'the guy'.
Since these organizations are the only teams that finished in the top three of their division and of those could even use a closer spells trouble for Papelbon's pocketbook.
The Dodgers probably won't be signing anybody to a large contract and the Phils, Cards, and White Sox would probably try to ride it out with what they have in their bullpens rather than sign a newcomer to a large contract.
So, we go down to the bottom of the standings. Papelbon can think more money, but no chance at a series with these teams. They are the Marlins, the Mets, the Orioles, and Astros.
All of these teams need help elsewhere than just the back of their bullpen.
The Cubs could dial back Marmol to a set up role, but that wouldn't maximize their new money in getting rid of old contracts this year.
It's the same problem Soriano faced last year. Teams like what they see, but the need is higher elsewhere.
Intriguing to see if Papelbon even merits a raise on his 12 million dollar salary from these teams.
'Settling' for close to the same salary and re-signing with the Red Sox may turn out to be his best option. But, with Bard waiting in the wings, that may not be an option for Papelbon.
Papelbon says he's excited about hitting the free agent market.
He may find out that the grass was always greener at Fenway.
As fas as intrigue goes though, it doesn't get much better than Jonathon Papelbon.
Last year, Rafael Soriano coming off a wonderful year of closing for the Rays swam the free agent waters. And found there weren't very many teams fishing. Soriano would have preferred closing, but after squeezing teams that needed a closer for more money and not succeeding, he acquiesced and settled for a set-up gig. The money from the Yankees equaled that of another team paying for a closer.
Soriano's contract is three years at 35 million smackeroos.
Papelbon made 12 million this year, his last year of arbitration with the Red Sox.
The Phils, White Sox, Cardinals, and Dodgers could use a defined closer. Although all of these teams have closers within their organizations, but they do not have 'the guy'.
Since these organizations are the only teams that finished in the top three of their division and of those could even use a closer spells trouble for Papelbon's pocketbook.
The Dodgers probably won't be signing anybody to a large contract and the Phils, Cards, and White Sox would probably try to ride it out with what they have in their bullpens rather than sign a newcomer to a large contract.
So, we go down to the bottom of the standings. Papelbon can think more money, but no chance at a series with these teams. They are the Marlins, the Mets, the Orioles, and Astros.
All of these teams need help elsewhere than just the back of their bullpen.
The Cubs could dial back Marmol to a set up role, but that wouldn't maximize their new money in getting rid of old contracts this year.
It's the same problem Soriano faced last year. Teams like what they see, but the need is higher elsewhere.
Intriguing to see if Papelbon even merits a raise on his 12 million dollar salary from these teams.
'Settling' for close to the same salary and re-signing with the Red Sox may turn out to be his best option. But, with Bard waiting in the wings, that may not be an option for Papelbon.
Papelbon says he's excited about hitting the free agent market.
He may find out that the grass was always greener at Fenway.
