Talk about drama. The once almost untouchable closer was dangled in front of many teams' eyes this offseason. The Red Sox even made an offer to Mariano Rivera before he signed with the Yankees. The Sox finally offered Paps arbitration worth $12 million for this season. Paps is coming off his worst season as a Red Sox posting a pedestrian 3.90 E.R.A., 37 saves, eight blown saves, and seven losses. He did strike out 76 hitters in 67 innings and will be in a contract season so how will he perform?
Paps cannot be happy with the acquisition of Bobby Jenks almost saying that after this year, he will be the Boston Red Sox closer. We cannot forget about Mr. Daniel Bard who can bring the heat with a fastball that registers over 98 mph consistantly with a back breaking slider. If Paps has a chip on his shoulder all year, he could potentially have one of his best seasons as a Red Sox. The question is with this potent lineup will Paps get a chance to close the door on 35-40 saves? Will Jenks get the extra work or Bard? We will not know until they take the field in April, but we do know that Jonathan Papelbon is the 2011 closer for the Boston Red Sox.
He has registered over 35 saves in each of his first five seasons. He did not let up a run in the post season until 2009 versus the Angels. That is just a ridiculous stat. Fans are stabbing Paps in the back because he had one bad season, only throws a fastball, and was blowing saves left and right last season.
Let me say one thing. I am not saying sign Paps for $16 million per year next season, but it will be a mistake if they let him just walk. He does not deserve that kind of money, I get it. But, this guy has been nothing but nails since coming to the Nation. He makes Bard better and he will make Jenks better. If he uses that splitter that all Boston fans know and love, this could be one of his best years as a Red Sox and it will have them second guessing to let him go.
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