Papelbon back to closing again

Mudster · Post by **Mudster** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:30 am

Just read this on ESPN.com. Several owners just got a gift.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:37 am

guess who gekko "pimped" this spring training. papelbon, sheets, and sosa.

for all those who listened to me about papelbon, enjoy the ride. and you're welcome

ALL-IN JD · Post by **ALL-IN JD** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:38 am

Not if teams were counting on him for 15 wins and drafted 2 solid closers besides him.

Nutty Scrats · Post by **Nutty Scrats** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:39 am

Here it is:

Red Sox will send Papelbon back to bullpen ESPN.com news services

The Boston Red Sox didn't have to search long for Mike Timlin's replacement as closer.

Two days after announcing that the 41-year-old Timlin will start the season on the disabled list, multiple team sources told ESPN's Erin Andrews that the Red Sox have decided Jonathan Papelbon has regained his closer.

Papelbon had 35 saves and a 0.92 ERA last season as a closer in his rookie year, but a shoulder problem detected late in the season led the team to decide he would move to the starting rotation in 2007.

Because of Papelbon's shoulder issues, there will be restrictions on how he is used: He won't throw when he is tired and he won't appear in more than three games in a row, Andrews reports.

The news comes after manager Terry Francona announced that Timlin, who has been bothered by a strained oblique, will start the season on the DL.

Right-handers Joel Pineiro, Brendan Donnelly and Julian Tavarez were originally being considered to close games in Timlin's absence.

"Those are still the guys we're strongly looking at," Boston pitching coach John Farrell said Wednesday.

In the Boston Herald on Thursday, Papelbon voiced his willingness to return to the bullpen.

"My door is always open to better a ballclub. That's what it boils down to," Papelbon told the Herald when asked if he'd consider a return. "If it betters a ballclub, my door is open, let's talk about it, figure it out. For me, I'm going to do what's best for the team. If they go out and get somebody, or somebody finally steps up, and says, 'Hey, I want this role' ... then we go about our business, and everyone's happy.

"If not, then we've got to figure something out," he told the newspaper. "Whether I go back [to the bullpen] or whether I stay starting and wait until the All-Star break, and do something then, we'll have to see. It's not an

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:41 am

Originally posted by fireballs:

Not if teams were counting on him for 15 wins and drafted 2 solid closers besides him. drafting papelbon and having two "solid" closers was something i wouldn't have done. you had to know the possibility existed for him to shift back to the pen.

ALL-IN JD · Post by **ALL-IN JD** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:45 am

True but doesnt mean it wasnt done

Mudster · Post by **Mudster** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:45 am

A closer is only solid until he gets lit up for a week. I'd be happy to have a closer fall into my lap. Cost of picking up a starter = 5-10 FAAB, but the cost of picking up a closer = 100+ FAAB.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:48 am

Originally posted by fireballs:

True but doesnt mean it wasnt done why, are you one of those teams? if so, and you were counting on him for 15 wins, i'd suggest looking at your FA SP ASAP.

at least papelbon's numbers should be good for a closer.

ALL-IN JD · Post by **ALL-IN JD** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:51 am

Nope, was not one of those teams, but im sure more than a few teams that are not happy with the switch. Also, healthwise, it may not be the best thing for him.

Mudster · Post by **Mudster** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:56 am

You are right about his health...I wonder if Dusty Baker is working with the Bosox on pitcher management?

Mr. LBN - Jeff Price · Post by **Mr. LBN - Jeff Price** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:57 am

Here's the note I wrote on Papelbon: "Elite K/BB. 3 Starts in 2005 17.1 IP, 1.44, 2.08, 15K. Not much else to go on. Might get shipped back to closer - even more value?"

I regret the question mark. He is absolutely more valuable as a closer whether you drafted him for 15 wins or not. The risk of your pick has been completed removed if he closes.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:04 am

Curt Schilling confirmed Thursday that Jonathan Papelbon is being shifted back to the bullpen by the Red Sox.

"Paps wanted to close because that’s where he felt he helped the team best, but he had no issues or problems being a starter either."

[ March 22, 2007, 02:04 PM: Message edited by: Gordon Gekko ]

ALL-IN JD · Post by **ALL-IN JD** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:04 am

Not about the risk. I just at my event league and the team that drafted Papelbon DESPERATELY needed him to stay a starter. He drafted Izzy, Ray and Benitez and is very short on starters.

Mudster · Post by **Mudster** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:06 am

I wouldn't say his closers are "solid" by any means, but I could see why he'd rather have him a SP.

ALL-IN JD · Post by **ALL-IN JD** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:07 am

And I just checked my Ultimate League, the team that drafted Papelbon drafted Izzy, T. Jones and Borowski with only Smoltz and Lackey to anchor his staff. As I said in my first post, Pap to the pen does not necessarily mean good things for the teams that drafted him. Replacing his potential stats as a starter will not be easy.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:09 am

Originally posted by fireballs:

And I just checked my Ultimate League, the team that drafted Papelbon drafted Izzy, T. Jones and Borowski with only Smoltz and Lackey to anchor his staff. As I said in my first post, Pap to the pen does not necessarily mean good things for the teams that drafted him. Replacing his potential stats as a starter will not be easy. here's the "out" clause with papelbon. drafting papelbon and having two "solid" closers was something that shouldn't have been done. you had to know the possibility existed for him to shift back to the pen.

ALL-IN JD · Post by **ALL-IN JD** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:10 am

You knew that, I knew that, but alot of people drafted him thinking that he would be starter, and a very good one at that.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:11 am

Originally posted by fireballs:

You knew that, I knew that, but alot of people drafted him thinking that he would be starter, and a very good one at that. i guess they didn't get the memo like we did. good job jeff!

ALL-IN JD · Post by **ALL-IN JD** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:22 am

Great minds thik alike I guess

JEagle · Post by **JEagle** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:23 am

I was one of those teams who drafted papelbon thinking he would be a very good starter ..I knew that there would always be a chance that he would be moved back to closer but theres always a chance of everything...i drafted Wagner & Saito...I guess we will see what happens now..

ALL-IN JD · Post by **ALL-IN JD** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:26 am

They say he will not go back to starting so you should be pretty much guarenteed 15 points in saves. What other starters did you draft?

JEagle · Post by **JEagle** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:32 am

eh....was a bit weak to start already..

Kazmir, Arroyo, Garza, Loewen, Pelfrey

took Clemens in the 16th and Pedro in the 26th..i knew i may need them before but now...I may have to start to pray

ALL-IN JD · Post by **ALL-IN JD** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:40 am

LOL!! You do have $1000 in FAAB to splash around!

JEagle · Post by **JEagle** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:42 am

I'll be splashing

Foo Dog · Post by **Foo Dog** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:10 am

I think Pap is having trouble developing a third pitch and a starter has to have that, a closer dosn't if he has some filth. By the way I drafted only one closer, K rod, but now I have 2!!!