We’ve heard before both that the Red Sox have expressed real interest in bringing back former closer Jonathan Papelbon and that a signing no longer seems very likely to come to fruition. Today’s comments from Boston president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, via WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford, further cast doubt on the possibility of a reunion.
According to Dombrowski, Papelbon’s failure to sign with the Red Sox or another organization are related to “his own personal reasons.” The veteran executive says that the word the team has received is that Papelbon simply is “not ready to make a decision” at this time.
While that’s certainly well within the veteran reliever’s rights, Dombrowski adds that it impacts the team’s own interest. Papelbon hasn’t appeared on a major league mound for over three weeks, and it isn’t even known just what he has been doing while working out on his own.
“So you’re in a position where you just can’t thrust him out there,” said Dombrowski. “I don’t know what he’s been doing as far as throwing is concerned. I would doubt that he’s been throwing a lot. So you would have to go back out there and build up his arm strength and be in a position to face some hitters. It’s not just inserting him like it would be if you signed him right off the bat.”
It is particularly notable, too, that Papelbon would need to sign before the end of August in order to be eligible to pitch in the post-season. Dombrowski notes that he and his representatives are surely aware of that fact, but are still electing to stand pat for the time being. “It has nothing to do with a club interest,” he said. “It’s just more, for whatever reason, his own decisions are like that.”
All told, it seems increasingly likely that the 35-year-old will be left to re-assess whether he wishes to keep pitching over the offseason. He has experienced his worst season at the major league level thus far in 2016, putting up a 4.37 ERA on the year, representing only the second time he has allowed more than three earned per nine over a single season. While Papelbon was able to punch out eight batters per nine, an improvement on his late-season run with the Nats in 2015, he also posted 3.6 BB/9 — his highest tally since his very first MLB campaign — and ran up a career-low 90.9 mph average four-seamer.
Wonder what would happen if he’d join the yankees, they need bullpen help after trading miller and chapman
I’m as far from a Yankees fan as purely possible, but I would say to hell with him signing with the Yankees. You have too many young, impressionable rookies on your team that he would only negatively effect with his clubhouse presence. The future looks good for the Yankees with Sanchez and Byrd leading the way. I’m not sold on Judge as he has the potential to be a Chris Carter, Jon Singleton or Joey Gallow type player. So much power and potential, but he strikes out more than a nerd at a sorority party. Papelbon just needs to ride off into the sunset.
Completely agree
well written. He still can throw. He has skills that few pitching coaches can teach. Such as Bob Gibson, Randy Johnson, or Pedro. He could teach the younger pitchers who to imitate and how to be sneakily aggressive. Or you teach them bad skills as you said. Interesting possibility. His death stare was legendary.. Really hard to judge.
A waste of time for anyone…… He hasn’t pitched in over two weeks……
Who would even want to sign this guy? As bad as the bullpen is in Texas right now, I wouldnt want him anywhere near this bullpen
“Papelbon simply is not ready to make a decision” at this time.”. Translation: “If I can’t be the closer and get saves, I’m not interested in signing with you. I’ll just wait to see if a closer is injured”
If that’s what he’s thinking someone needs to dump a bucket of water on his head… like a closer is going to go down and a team will think, “Gee, where can we find a guy with a 90 MPH fastball, an ERA of 4.37, and a WHIP of 1.457, who will completely destroy our clubhouse chemistry with his d-baggery?”
Whatever Papelbon’s reasoning might be, if he wants to work next year at a salary that he would feel appropriate, he’s going to have to show he can be more than a replacement-level pitcher.
Maybe he can’t face the reality of age.–or maybe he is.
.
Maybe he was always caught up being a good pitcher that he didn’t realize how big of a d-bag he was, and now that the magic dried up for him this year he’s had to rethink his me me me me me attitude a little bit.
He was a problem almost his whole time with the Red Sox, remember him bitching about being a starter in I believe 2008…he complained through the press….he had dust ups with several players…..as much as I’d like to find a reunion would be beneficial, i’m just not sure
****Wanting to be a starter! Sometimes I forget to proofread, sorry for the confusion!
My guess is fear. Going to Boston will put him in the spotlight during a time when his ability is no longer there. He knows he will forever tarnish his Red Sox legacy if he pitches for them this season. As a fan of a division rival I would love to see Pap again on the amount in a close game. He had his day but is just not the same pitcher. Still has same ego and bad temper but not the same ability to execute.
Happy retirement Papelbon. I doubt teams will want you as a closer next year.