DISQUS

Jeff · 2 years ago

I like Papelbon as a starter. I think a closer will emerge. It is more important to have Paps in the rotation. Heopfully, when Jon Lester is ready, he can be the No. 5 and Wakefield can move to the bullpen. Regardless, the Sox have a solid rotation this season, and with guys like Daniel Bard, Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden in the minors and on the way, it's going to remain solid in the future.


Jeff

Sox and Pinstripes

http://www.soxandpinstripes.com

Tom P · 2 years ago

I've been trying to convince the people around me of the wisdom of using Jon Papelbon as a starter, but I'm not making much headway.


People should be reminded that there are other "closer" candidates on the roster. Josh Beckett, Dice-K, and Curt Schilling also have the stuff and the makeup to be excellent closers -- but the club rightly recognized that they have much more value in the rotation.



Why can't Jon Papelbon get the same respect?



Also, Rob ... I'm very intrigued by Rule 5 claimee Nick DeBarr. He's throwing the ball harder now than before his surgery and he's pitched well in his limited chances this spring. What have you heard? Is there any real chance he'll stick?

Anonymous · 2 years ago

Thanks for posting that, Rob. It'll hopefully help clear up a lot of the misconceptions around Papelbon.


Many Sox fans just see the closing stats from last year and can't possibly understand why he's going into the rotation, and that's where the "how can 200IP possibly be better for his shoulder than 70IP?" arguments come from.



Having a great pitcher play more often will benefit the team more, and offering Paps more rest between starts and not having him throw quite as hard will benefit his shoulder more in the long run.



It's easier to find a closer than it is a front of the rotation starter.



I'm for the move 100%.

Don Babbitt · 2 years ago

Give 'em hell on the Big Show, Rob. You're the best baseball co-host on WEEI.