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Jonathan Papelbon

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Mets, Pirates, Papelbon, Rivera

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On this date 42 years ago, Brian Cashman was born. Cashman has been the General Manager of the Yankees since 1998 and is signed through 2011. With four weeks until the trade deadline, Cashman will certainly be active in the trade market. Let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.

Papelbon Backs Off Comments About Joining Other Clubs

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Rob Bradford at WEEI.com spoke to Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon about the comments he made on Sirius XM Radio yesterday regarding the possibility of joining the Yankees or other clubs when he reaches free agency.

“I just think that when people hear what I said or people read what I said sometimes they can only see certain things. I want to make that clear, I don’t want to go (expletive) for the Yankees,” Papelbon said. “Believe me, I’ve got a ring here and I’m playing for a manager and general manager who are going to protect me. I’ve been on a team in baseball who has been in first-place more than any other (expletive) team in baseball. It’s just a simple fact for me that what I was stating that guys nowadays don’t necessarily get the opportunity to be with a team for a long period of time. Do I want to be with the Red Sox for as long as I can? Of course. There is no question about because I know I’m playing a manager and general manager who are going to protect me and to me that’s all that matters.”

Papelbon made it clear that his preference is to remain in Boston, but acknowledged that this is a business and he's looking out for his family first and foremost. He also said he understands that he needs the Red Sox more than they need him.

Papelbon Would Join Yankees, Other Clubs

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In an appearance on Sirius XM Radio, Jonathan Papelbon told Jody McDonald and Bert Blyleven that he would consider playing for the Yankees once his Boston career is over:

"Oh, of course. I mean, I think if we can't come to an agreement on terms here in a Red Sox uniform, I mean I think that's pretty much the writing on the wall."

Papelbon says he'd consider joining other teams, too:

"Not only the Bronx, but anywhere. I think anywhere is a possibility. You always have to keep that in the back of your mind because you can't just be one-sided and think that, "Oh, I'm going to be in a Red Sox uniform my entire career" because nowadays that is very, very rare and hopefully we can because there's no question I would love to stay in a Boston Red Sox uniform but I have to do what's best for me and play in an atmosphere where I'm wanted."

In response to the quote, Mike Petraglia of WEEI.com points out that Papelbon remains under team control through 2011.

Odds And Ends: Phillies, Manny, Japanese Players

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Here are a few more random notes from the MLBiverse…

  • Todd Zolecki says the Phillies would likely have to trade Geoff Jenkins or Matt Stairs if they want to add another right-handed bat to the bench, noting that it is not likely for either player to be released after the Phils already ate Adam Eaton’s contract. Zolecki does say that Stair’s $1M salary would be easier to absorb.
  • Dan Barbarisi of the Providence Journal gives us some quotes from Terry Francona in response to being asked about Jonathon Papelbon calling Manny Ramirez a “cancer.” Francona would not answer the questions directly but did say “The moves we make, I think that speaks volumes enough.”
  • Keith Law scouted the Japanese squad at the World Baseball Classic and gives us the rundown on a few of their better players. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I don’t believe that any of the players mentioned will be eligible to make the jump to MLB anytime soon.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Odds & Ends: Phillies, Manny, Japanese Players

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Here are a few more random notes from the MLBiverse…

  • Todd Zolecki says the Phillies would likely have to trade Geoff Jenkins or Matt Stairs if they want to add another right-handed bat to the bench, noting that it is not likely for either player to be released after the Phils already ate Adam Eaton’s contract. Zolecki does say that Stair’s $1MM salary would be easier to absorb.
  • Dan Barbarisi of the Providence Journal gives us some quotes from Terry Francona in response to being asked about Jonathan Papelbon calling Manny Ramirez a "cancer." Francona would not answer the questions directly but did say "The moves we make, I think that speaks volumes enough."
  • Keith Law scouted the Japanese squad at the World Baseball Classic and gives us the rundown on a few of their better players. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I don’t believe that any of the players mentioned will be eligible to make the jump to MLB anytime soon.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Odds & Ends: Manny, Papelbon, Pudge, Peavy

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Links for Thursday…

  • The Nationals remain interested in Duaner Sanchez, says Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post.
  • Yahoo’s Jeff Passan talked to Mark Prior.
  • Joel Sherman of the New York Post heard Manny Ramirez and Scott Boras consider the contract with the Dodgers a one-year deal with a safety net.  Sherman wonders if the Yankees and/or Mets could get involved depending on how Manny’s 2009 season plays out.
  • Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon commented about Manny to Chris Jones in the April issue of Esquire.  It’s a good article and there’s a lot more to it than the Manny comments.
  • Free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez is working out at first base, according to Will Gonzalez of MLB.com.
  • The Padres have the third pick in the June draft.  Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune asks whether they’ll finally take a player with big upside.
  • Jake Peavy’s agent Barry Axelrod seems to be writing off the Padres, in comments to Fred Mitchell of the Chicago Tribune: "It’s tough with the Padres’ situation.  They are not very good and it looks like it is going to be another long year for them."
  • Marlins shortstop Robert Andino is out of options, so Mike Phillips of the Miami Herald says this is his audition.
  • ESPN’s Buster Olney says Mark Mulder’s audition is drawing closer and he’s throwing well.  Olney also says Luis Gonzalez is waiting by the phone.  For a look at the other remaining free agents, click here.

Odds And Ends: Orioles, Bowden, Nathan

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A few links for Sunday afternoon…

  • According to MLB.com’s Spencer Fordin the Orioles used "number crunching and statistical analysis" to compare Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis to similar past and present players before locking them up to deals worth $40MM and $66MM, respectively.
  • Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports that Joe Nathan’s happy to see Jonathan Papelbon making lots of money this year ($6.25MM) because it’s good for closers in general.
  • Jayson Stark of ESPN.com points out the absurdity of the Manny Ramirez negotiations and suggests the structure of a deal that could work for both sides. It’s been nearly four months since the Dodgers made their initial offer of two years and $45MM.
  • Pete McElroy of MASN Sports reports that Dmitri Young’s "shocked" to see Jim Bowden resign. Young, who first dealt with Bowden on the Reds, spoke glowingly of his former GM.
  • According to MLB.com’s Jason Beck Jim Leyland confirmed that the Tigers had some offseason discussions about Juan Cruz.
  • The draft’s still three months away, but Keith Law of ESPN.com is already putting together scouting reports about some top amateur players.
  • MLB.com’s Lyle Spencer dreams up a deal that sends Adrian Gonzalez and Jake Peavy to the Angels for 10 players.

Heyman On Bay, Papelbon, Manny, Braves

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The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman…

  • Red Sox GM Theo Epstein says he’s had "casual conversations" about a contract extension with Jason Bay.  We learned a few days ago that Bay is open to an extension but doesn’t consider it the "end-all, be-all."
  • Jonathan Papelbon says he’s a "gambling man," and he prefers to go year-to-year rather than sign long-term.  Boston’s offer was far off his expectations, and he wants to set the market for closers.  Papelbon is under team control through 2011, and will earn $6.25MM in his first arb year.
  • Heyman says there’s "some indication Dodgers owner Frank McCourt is about to become involved in the Manny Ramirez negotiations."  Maybe that’ll get things moving.
  • Heyman says the Braves will look at Garret Anderson, Jim Edmonds, and Luis Gonzalez, though ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick has indicated the Braves aren’t interested in the veteran free agents.
  • The Orioles’ acquisition of Felix Pie cost Edmonds a chance to sign with the team.

Odds and Ends: Pirates, Royals, Gagne

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Links for Wednesday…

Papelbon Not Anxious For Long-Term Deal

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As reported by Art Martone of the Providence Journal, Jonathan Papelbon said during a radio appearance Wednesay night that he enjoys "rolling the dice" from year to year and is not yet concerned about negotiating a multi-year extension.

"You have to weigh so many different things [in negotiating a long-term contract], and it’s so hard to put it in perspective," Papeblon said.  If he can keep up his current rate of production, he’ll continue pulling in big checks in the offseason.  The Red Sox shelled out $6.25MM Tuesday to avoid an arbitration hearing.

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