The Red Sox are still amenable to reaching a deal with free agent reliever Jonathan Papelbon, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski suggested in comments to MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM (Twitter link).
Last we checked in, a return of Papelbon to Boston — where he made his name as a big leaguer — seemed unlikely. And that may still be the case, especially since the longer Papelbon goes without joining an organization, the more time (and less opportunity) he’ll have to ramp up.
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It seems that the ball remains in Papelbon’s court to move his career forward, as at least the Red Sox, and possibly other organizations, remain interested in signing him. As Dombrowski put it, “he has to decide what he wants to do.” If he has any hopes of throwing in the playoffs, moreover, Papelbon will need to sign within the next week, as post-season rosters cannot include players that joined an organization after the end of August.
Whether Papelbon and his representatives are holding out for more favorable terms, or have other considerations in mind, isn’t really known. But the long-time closer doesn’t seem to have much leverage. Teams may not be willing to give him assurances of how often he’ll pitch or in what role, if they are even willing to commit a major league deal to a hurler who had turned in a career-worst 4.37 ERA and hasn’t pitched in nearly three weeks.
Barring a string of injuries, it’s not clear that the offers will improve, at least from the Red Sox. As Dombrowski characterized things, there doesn’t appear to be much room for negotiation: “We are open, we did call, he has to decide.”
I think he would’ve already signed is the Red Sox were his preference
Makes me think it’s a minor league offer because I agree he would’ve signed by now.
1) I don’t think Papelbon would help the Sox make the playoffs. I feel more like he’d be Eric Gagne 2.0
2) I’d rather miss the playoffs than have to see Papelbon on the team again.
What? First off he would be cheaper then Gagne and less would be expected, 2nd why? Dude may have been a jerk but he helped us win and would pretty much know he has to behave because the Sox ( or any team that signed him) would just release him at first sign of problem.
I think Paps is more likely to behave in Boston than anywhere else. That said, he is a hothead. The Sox bullpen has enough issues without throwing in an ego the size of a small planet.
He might have more former teammates in Chicago between Lester, Ross, and Lackey. Couple that with a front office who knows him, and the Cubs are probably ahead of Boston in terms of comfort level for Papelbon. Who is really left from him time in Boston? Ortiz, Buckholz and Pedroia?
You’re talking stupid!!
You rather miss the playoff than aquire Papelbon?
That sound super dumb. So its ok Abad & Taz to be on the team as bad as they been. But not Paps? Who i would pitch over those 2 in a flash.
What ever your smoking or drinking you need to stop.
Because that comment couldnt possibly come from a sober thinking person..
Didn’t Papelbon say he would pick his new team in 24 hours almost a week ago?
He might have assumed there would be an offer!
Um I think Dombrowski made it pretty clear with these comments that there is some type of offer on the table
Um he might have assumed there would be multiple BETTER offers? The market may not have been what he thought it was.
He’s getting paid the remainder of his contract. The only thing a team is going to offer is a spot to play.
That’s true to some extent. I expect he wants to be guaranteed he’ll be the closer. Which is obviously not going to happen in Boston with Kimbrel on hand. So with that in mind he’s holding out hope another team will have an injury or something that would open up and closer spot.
If that is the case he will keep waiting. Because no team in contention is gonna give him the closer’s role He’s be a set up man in a team that is playoff bound and that’s even giving him a big chance. So he cant possibly be thinking that. Because that won’t happen.
Right!? So Papelbon is not only a bad teammate but he’s also a liar.
Jonathan Papelbon, starring his own personal “Groundhog Day” reboot.
Or a different Bill Murray movie… The Man Who Knew Too Little.
Lol. Nice!
Teams called his bluff.
“Barring a string of injuries, it’s not clear that the offers will improve…”
That and Papelbon waiting to see which teams have the best shot of making the postseason are likely why he’s sitting back and waiting.
Very few teams have a better chance of making the postseason than the Nationals do. That is why his decision reeks of being a self centered boob. He was making good money and had a chance to get a ring. Then he quits. What a waste…
I’m assuming he’s still being paid by Washington, so whatever he’s waiting for probably isn’t more money. But, given that he’s a free agent at the end of this year, and given his strong sense of self, he’s likely looking for the closers’ job.
I don’t see how he’s helping himself here–closer or setup man, he’s likely to be viewed the same in the off-season. Either he pitches well (in whichever slot) or he doesn’t. He needs to pitch, to prove himself, or his next set of offers might be very low.
Yeah, Washington is on the hook for his salary until he signs with a new team. At that point the team that signs Paps will be on the hook for the prorated major league minimum from the date he’s signed and Washington owes the rest.
So yeah, if there is an offer or offers out there then money isn’t the issue.
“Yeah can I have an order of cancer to go please?”
A little surprised that the Giants haven’t jumped in.
He’s an idiot. I’ll be shocked if he signs. To much ego in the way, he still wants to be “the closer”. Which he is clearly not anymore
He would be a fool not to sign with someone, he has to prove he is the dominant closer he once was if he plans on another big payday from anyone
He could have proved himself by having 2-3 dominating outings in the postseason with the Nationals. He fights with teammates, argues over everything, quits on his team, and puts up mediocre numbers. Why would anyone want to roll out the red carpet for him.
I totally agree, I personally would not sign him if he were free. Winning teams have character, they have charisma. Pap would be poison to the sox. Who to me seem to be finding themselves as a team and clicking on all cylinders, when a team starts to do that it’s hard to stop them. Evan a sub par player becomes great because they believe.