Papelbon back to Closer

[Misfit]

Re: Papelbon back to Closer

Apparently, after his initial physical this spring the doctors concluded he had one of the top 3 strongest shoulder on the team after his offseason workout program. The guy wants to close and he made that clear to the team, so they're going to go with it. If it is where he wants to be one can't really fault the team for putting him back there. While I was curious to see how good he would be in the rotation, it is probably best for the team to have him at the end of games. Plus he was a joy to watch in that role. I don't see Tavarez lasting the year as a starter but they have Lester once he's ready, Kason Gabbard looked good last year in a few spot starts and has looked awesome this spring, and there's always the possibility of a Rocket-Relaunch (though admittedly that isn't likely).

We'll all have to wait and see how it plays out. Certainly there's a risk for injury but there would be for him as a starter too. Pitching is such an inexact science, no one knows for sure what is best for pitchers. Just look at the different philosophies between the Japanese pitchers and American ones for evidence of that. If they didn't think he could remain healthy they wouldn't be putting him in this position. It is in the best interests for the club to have Papelbon pitching for a long time for their team so they'll keep a close eye on him.

[rsox]

Re: Papelbon back to Closer

Damn, I was really looking forward to a few months of Joel Piniero.

Honestly i'm not sure we ever would have seen that. There were rumors that the Sox were interested in Armando Benitez (not that thats any better) or Chad Cordero so i think we would have seen a trade before opening day.

[SPTO]

Re: Papelbon back to Closer

And Francona has stated the following:

-The Red Sox will not use Papelbon if he says he, or his arm, feels tired.

Yeah i'm sure that'd go over well when in the heat of a pennant race Papelbon gets tired or can't go and the Sox blow a couple important games.

At least it'll make for some good "the sky is falling" type coverage in the Boston media.

[Psyblast]

Re: Papelbon back to Closer

At least it'll make for some good "the sky is falling" type coverage in the Boston media.

It really wouldn't be baseball season without that, would it?

[rudyjuly2]

Re: Papelbon back to Closer

I've always thought that the bullpen and especially the closer role was tough on the arm. However, throwing for small amounts every day which keeps your arm loose isn't always bad. John Smoltz had a lot of arm troubles a few years ago and was able to make a successful transition to closer without hurting his arm. He's starting again but he was a guy I thought would wreck his arm being a closer and I don't think it bothered him. Who knows?

[Dispatch]

Re: Papelbon back to Closer

I don't see anything wrong with it as long as they monitor his shoulder and don't over use him. And hopefully they can pick up a closer after this season is over, and next year Papelbon can be a starter again. If thats what Papelbon really wanted then I don't have a problem with it because he was a fantastic closer last year.

[Beantown]

Re: Papelbon back to Closer

Yeah i'm sure that'd go over well when in the heat of a pennant race Papelbon gets tired or can't go and the Sox blow a couple important games.

Of course, I'm sure, if it's in September and he is needed, and feels that he can go they will use him...but the purpose of keeping him rested is so he can actually pitch in September this year.

[bdseed316]

Re: Papelbon back to Closer

I don't see anything wrong with it as long as they monitor his shoulder and don't over use him. And hopefully they can pick up a closer after this season is over, and next year Papelbon can be a starter again. If thats what Papelbon really wanted then I don't have a problem with it because he was a fantastic closer last year.

Why should Papelbon be moved to being a starter? Do you know how hard it is for teams to find a lock-down closer? He had a .92 ERA last year! Why mess with that? Who could they find, as cheap as Papelbon is, to be as good as a closer?