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Hooray!! If it’s true that Papelbon will be our closer and that it poses no health problem to him, we just became hugely better! It’s a testament to him that he worked so hard to strengthen his shoulder. A good guy with his priorities in order. I’m thrilled!

This means one thing.

Clemens.

This doesn’t make a lot of sense. If they were really going to put Papelbon back in the bullpen, why would they put Tavarez in the rotation instead of Kyle Snyder? And hasn’t the official mantra been all along that they would see what Papelbon had to show them as a starter before thinking about this option? Why do this now?

Rob, Would this also free up a spot in the rotation should the Sox get Roger Clemens or get Lester back?

Not pleased about this either. So right now we have 4 pitchers, whoever is that 5th starter won’t give us much, plus Paps can’t go back to back days most of the time. I think shortsided its a great idea, he can make saves, long run I don’t think it’ll work out. What if we have back to back nights we need saves but Pap can only go one night. The second night we lose. The third and fourth games are two blow outs with a win/loss. Now instead of winning an extra game, we lost because Pap can’t go back to back. We all know how important those games can be, I think this will hurt the Sox not help them with his limited back to back games.

Panick move.

Silly move.

Hmm…let’s wait for them to announce it. Remember: DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN.

Who knows if this is true or not, but based on the rumors swirling around online, I think there’s some credence to it.

I think it’s a great move, probably the smartest they can make, so long as they have a program to keep Paps healthy.

Honestly, would you prefer:

Schilling
Beckett
Dice-K
Papelbon
Wake
Closer: by committee

or

Schilling
Beckett
Dice-K
Wake
Tavarez/Snyder
Closer: Papelbon

We’re gonna rock and roll this year, and I feel much better about a solid closer coming in, than having an “ok” fourth stater.

what’s more important in the course of a season- a number 4 starter, or a closer? Say Papelbon has 7 dominant innings as a starter each outing, but the bullpen blows half of them… it’s the same as tavarez only being effective half of the time and papelbon saving the game, plus he’ll do the same for the other 4 starters.

good baseball move, i just hope paps doesn’t let the decision affect his pitching. i think he should be fine

sure wish we could put a lefty in the roatation instead of snyder

kinda disapointed, thats for sure, was looking forward to having the best rotation in baseball. i was looking forward to seeing paps start. why dont they think out of the deep, deep bullpen they have, that they could find a diamond in the rough like they did last year with papelbon in the first place?

I want to see Papelbon starting eventually but it’s hard to argue that he should stay in the rotation while the bullpen blows all sorts of saves. It hasn’t blown saves yet but I don’t have any confidence in the options for bullpen ace now and I’d rather they make this move in March rather than in May when the Sox are slumping in the AL East. Especially since there are Tavarez/Snyder/Lester (Lester obviously being the class of the three) available to step up and start.

http://38pitches.com/2007/03/22/paps-to-the-pen/

Schill confirms it.

Drez,

Kyle Snyder’s (limited) numbers show that he’s quite effective for his first 1-2 innings. Perhaps they envision him as their new setup guy. Tavarez is so unpredictable, but for the Red Sox the only value he yielded last year was in the starting role. He can at least eat innings, anyway.

I am surprised how many people don’t think this is a good idea. I would much rather see Snyder / Tavarez in the rotation then walking to the mound in the 9th with a one run lead.

The Sox have a ton of options for the #5 starter. Also, as Curt said in his blog entry he thinks Lester may be ready soon.

Also, I don’t think that its a situation where Papelbon won’t be able to close on back to back days but rather won’t be going more than an inning anytime out and will only be appearing in save situations.

I’m relieved I won’t have to have a panick attack every 8th inning all season. I feel much safer with the game in Papelbon’s hands than anyone else in the bullpen.

I think this is a great idea, but at what cost. The Sox were so concerned about his long term health and then do a 180. We will see how this works out.

If Pap can’t go everyday, doesn’t it in essence become closer by commitee anyhow?

Ugh. And what of Joel Pineiro?

If Pieniero was good enough for the 9th he is good enough for the 8th….

If Pieniero is solid then we have two above average RP’s.. 8th and 9th innings will be ours.

God, I’d love to hear Walter Johnson’s reaction to management saying “we’re not going to let him pitch one inning more than three games in a row” or “no 4-out saves,” etc.

70 innings from a strong kid in his early 20s?

Pitchers today have become wusses. Tiant threw more complete games in 75 than the entire Sox staff in 06, I do believe.