Major League Baseball: 2010

[QUOTE=MF41590;228126]My only question is, does Jenks signing with Boston mean Papelbon's days as closer are numbered?[/QUOTE] I think there is an understanding with Papelbon that he is not going to be with the Red Sox next year, no matter what. If he goes out there as the closer and starts blowing saves, Bard and Jenks will move up the pecking order, Paps will be slid to the 7th and the Sox will let him go to free agency and take the compensation. If he comes out of the gate looking like a monster and Bard and Jenks are also performing well, the Sox will look to move him for prospects at the trade deadline (and probably eat some salary to make him even more attractive.) In the end, Bard is the future (and cheap) with Jenks only doing a two year bid to 1.) Keep Papelbon in check this year 2.) Replace Papelbon next season if Bard is not fully ready. Papelbon is going to want Rivera money next year and a 3 year + deal and Theo will never pay it, so in the end the best case scenario for them is to move him and get some prospects. I admit, I've always liked Paps, but the guy blew 8 saves last year, went 5-7 and had an ERA approaching 4. He is probably going to pull in $11 million plus this year and want $15 + next year. Meanwhile Bard is getting paid $450,000, had a 1.93 ERA last season and won't be eligible for free agency until 2016. So, Paps days seem to be numbered, unless he takes a home team discount and he has made it clear that he won't...

It must be disheartening to root for a small market team... [url=http://vevmo.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=8543][img]http://vevmo.com/imagehosting/14d0e13ef61162.jpg[/img][/url]

[QUOTE=MF41590;228161]So no chance he ends up in the starting rotation? Didn't the Sox have him in their rotation 3-4 years ago but then changed their minds and put him back in the closer role?[/QUOTE] The Red Sox should still have 5 "quality" starters going into next season although there are hints that they would like to move Dice-K this season or next winter. They are already fielding inquiries about Papelbon, after the Jenks move. I just don't think that financially it would be in Paps best interest to convert back to a rotation pitcher (even if he could.) He's looking at a big payday next season from someone (in the $12-$15 million dollar per year range over 3 + years) and there is no way he'd command that in an unproven role. Yes, the Sox were thinking of using him as a starting pitcher in 2007 but then he ran into shoulder problems and they decided he was better suited as a closer being there would be less of the extended wear and tear that goes with tossing a 100 pitches in a given night. Papelbon is at the age that he has to get his big contract and I don't see a place for him with the Sox in that price range unless he comes out this year and has the best year of his career - which is doubtful. He clearly seems to be in decline.

[QUOTE=MF41590;228163]Whoa, Zack Greinke traded to the Brewers? That gives them a nice 1-2 punch with Gallardo and Greinke.[/QUOTE] I'm glad he went to the NL (i.e. not the Yankees.) The Sox do play the Brewers in interleague this year.