Jonathan Papelbon says there’s a “50-50” chance that he returns to the Red Sox after the season, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Papelbon, who is set to earn $12MM this year before hitting free agency for the first time in his career, says it’s “a tossup.”
“Whatever happens, happens. I don’t have much control over that,” Papelbon said in reference to the free agent market in general. “I’m worried about putting up numbers and trying to be the best I can be at my craft, be part of the equation for a championship club again.”
Papelbon says the notion that he wants to play elsewhere is a “big misconception” and that he can see himself returning to Boston, where he has spent the first six seasons of his career. The 30-year-old will have competition on the free agent market after the season, when Heath Bell, Jonathan Broxton, Matt Capps, Francisco Cordero, Ryan Franklin, Brad Lidge, Joe Nathan, Francisco Rodriguez, Rafael Soriano and Jose Valverde could all hit free agency as well.
There is less than a 50/50 chance he comes back to Boston. They have Bard and Jenks already lined up for the job in 2012 and no real need for Papelbon. I hope he has a great year and gets the money he is looking for, but there is no realistic chance that he will be back next season.
I love it, “Whatever happens, happens, I don’t have much control over things”. Really Pap, you don’t think if you pitch well this year that you won’t have much control over things? This guy cracks me up.
for boston in 2012 and beyond, 2 draft picks > papelbon
It would be a risk to offer him arb next year with that class. He might accept cause no one is going to overpay him. If his agent is smart they would accept a large one year from the Red Sox (12-14 million) then a 2-3 year deal on the open market worth far less per year.
if he has a mediocre year this year, it’s risky for boston. anything better than that and he becomes one of the top names in the class. and he’s been salivating over his next contract for years now
he’ll be 31 this offseason. it’s only a year, but 32 is a much different number when trying to land a big contract – and it would require another two years of uninjured dominance instead of one
so i see what you’re saying, but i think there’s at least as much risk on papelbon’s side
If Paps has a dominant year, then offer him arbitration. If he accepts, fine, pay him $15M. But chances are, if he does have a dominant year, he would seek the large contract. Anything less than a very dominant year, and I’d say it would be quite a risk for the Sox to offer arbitration.
I don’t see Paps in Boston’s future unless he has a Mariano type year and/or signs cheap. With Bards and Jenks waiting in the wings the Sox have a few potential closers, add to it the potential market for closers and Paps may have to lower his price no matter where he goes.
It’s too bad. He was once had rockstar status in New England, but he let it go to his head.
With you here. Can see Bard getting a few more closing opportunities this season and if he struggles in that role, jenks sliding right in next year unless Papelbon comes back next year on a very team friendly deal worth around the same figure his is already making (or less) and maybe a team/mutual option for a 2nd year.
With both Bard and jenks on hand..There is little need for an expensive option of papelbon anymore… let him try and get that Rivera like contract…
I’m still trying to figure out why Theo gave him 12 mil after his worst year ever. No way paps arb figures were that high considering is 9.3 mil salary last year. I have to believe Theo bought some good will like, “we’ll offer arbitration after the year and you don’t accept” type of deal. Arbitration for the sox next year, if offered could cost them 15 mil
What was the other option? Non-tender him and risk another year of a horrendous bullpen?
This is the year to win…with Crawford and Gonzalez on board, with the bullpen revamped…this is not the year to cheap out and let Pap go (and potentially have to trade prospects to acquire bullpen help mid season)
Not at all, never thought of that. My thought was more along the line of if Paps comes in at 11.5mi and Theo comes in around 10.5, negotiate about 11. That’s all I’m saying, its not like Theo to throw an extra million out for no reason. With the season papas has, if he came in asking for 12 mil he would have lost.
Soriano won’t be a free agent, he will be in pinstripes, no way he opts out, and him being there means they won’t be in on Paps, not that the Yankees want him anyways, Paps will sign with Boston next year, not for anywhere near what he wants though, he is going to be in the David Ortiz box in which they will over value themselves possibly out of a job, unless the Orioles want Paps lol.
Holy crap @ that free agent closer class for 2012.
Heads he leaves, Tails he goes elsewhere! Yup, it’s a tossup allright!
Time to let him go. He can’t get his only pitch by anybody.
Maybe some NL team can use a halfa** closer. Sox don’t
need him and hopefully Tito doesn’t lose too many games trying
to prove he can still pitch like he did Manny D. Short leash I hope!!