Thanks for the clarification, Rob. I just wanted to get that straight - I did seriously doubt that you were trying to disparage Papelbon. Unfortunately I've seen/heard other comments doing just that, which is upsetting to say the least.
ptodd
· 2 years ago
Rob, since when does a player in his 2nd season dictate his role?. Paps may be happy with the decision but the team made this decision, not Pap. The story of Paps sleepless nights and going to Tito makes it looks like this is Paps decision to the average fan. Theo, Tito and anyone who has given Paps medical clearance to go back to this role are accountable for what happens, the good and the bad.
Some of the arguments as to why it is Ok for him go back to the pen. His arm strength was good when tested at the beginning of ST. Duh, after an offseason of strengthening, shouldn't it be strong?. Matt Clements shoulder tested strong and was a reason why they had difficult diagnosing a torn rotator cuff and labrum and had him try to come back from the DL when he probably should have had surgery in July.
The other good one was the concern about his velocity drop off after a few innings and fear he would develop into a 5 IP this year. Duh again, the dude pitched 68 innings last year, how many innings do you think he will throw this year, 200? Certainly his innings are going to be kept to 5, maybe 6. Most rookie starting pitchers only go 5-6 innings due to command issues. Pap pitched all of 8 innings as a starter in ST, at least give him a chance to recover his arm strength and endurance as a starter after not starting for 1 year, thats what ST is for, no?
Very disapointed in this change of direction, Pineiro has pitched well of late, he may not be a lights out closer, but at least let the boat get in the water before changing course. Pap moving back to the pen after a couple of months was always on the table, moving from RP to SP should the need arise is not as easy to do as going the other way, and remember Tito refused to even consider it with Pap last year.
Repeat after me Theo, you can never have to much SP'ing, injuries can not be predicted, and you just removed one of your options for SP'ing like you did when you traded B. Arroyo for WMP last year.
The options to replace Paps as the 5th starter Tavarez, Gabbard, Snyder, Lester are all good options to have to replace your 5th starter, not to start the season as your 5th starter. If one of the top 4 starters are injured, we are looking at a repeat of last year in having our 6th and 7th starters or worse out there. And all of these guys will be no more than 5-6 IP guys, including Lester, with a higher probability of having disastorous starts, you know, getting knocked out in the 3rd or 4th.
Hope it works out. Tito will probably sleep better.
deversm
· 2 years ago
Given Papelbon's youth and what seems to be everyone's desire to have him remain as closer as long as possible, does this turn Hansen into a chip for the trading deadline? With the high price other teams were asking the Sox, do they turn that around now with Hansen? Do other orgs still regard him as a high ceiling prospect?
Fenway Blogger
· 2 years ago
Rob, I think Papelbon to closer is a good move assuming health? is not an issue. Did Dr. Gill get any questions this week from the Sox? Our starting five is now the same as last August plus Matsuzaka. Optimism reigns but last year we where in bottom of American league in ERA. I love Matsuzaka but it poses overall curiosity to me on this years optimism.
Griffin
· 2 years ago
I would venture to say that neither a team nor a player "dictates" a role. The team has the right to do what it sees fit, but a player also has the right to contribute some input into what is essentially a career-defining decision.
If Papelbon's heart is in the closer's role, and that coincides with what's best for the Red Sox, then it's a no-brainer decision.
deversm
· 2 years ago
Never mind on that Hansen question. It looks like he answered it for me himself today. Ouch. Maybe Ankiel can show him how to swing a bat.
Jonathan Singer
· 2 years ago
Thanks for the nice plug of soxprospects.com Rob and glad you visit the site.
All Comments
Thanks for the clarification, Rob. I just wanted to get that straight - I did seriously doubt that you were trying to disparage Papelbon. Unfortunately I've seen/heard other comments doing just that, which is upsetting to say the least.
Rob, since when does a player in his 2nd season dictate his role?. Paps may be happy with the decision but the team made this decision, not Pap. The story of Paps sleepless nights and going to Tito makes it looks like this is Paps decision to the average fan. Theo, Tito and anyone who has given Paps medical clearance to go back to this role are accountable for what happens, the good and the bad.
Some of the arguments as to why it is Ok for him go back to the pen. His arm strength was good when tested at the beginning of ST. Duh, after an offseason of strengthening, shouldn't it be strong?. Matt Clements shoulder tested strong and was a reason why they had difficult diagnosing a torn rotator cuff and labrum and had him try to come back from the DL when he probably should have had surgery in July.
The other good one was the concern about his velocity drop off after a few innings and fear he would develop into a 5 IP this year. Duh again, the dude pitched 68 innings last year, how many innings do you think he will throw this year, 200? Certainly his innings are going to be kept to 5, maybe 6. Most rookie starting pitchers only go 5-6 innings due to command issues. Pap pitched all of 8 innings as a starter in ST, at least give him a chance to recover his arm strength and endurance as a starter after not starting for 1 year, thats what ST is for, no?
Very disapointed in this change of direction, Pineiro has pitched well of late, he may not be a lights out closer, but at least let the boat get in the water before changing course. Pap moving back to the pen after a couple of months was always on the table, moving from RP to SP should the need arise is not as easy to do as going the other way, and remember Tito refused to even consider it with Pap last year.
Repeat after me Theo, you can never have to much SP'ing, injuries can not be predicted, and you just removed one of your options for SP'ing like you did when you traded B. Arroyo for WMP last year.
The options to replace Paps as the 5th starter Tavarez, Gabbard, Snyder, Lester are all good options to have to replace your 5th starter, not to start the season as your 5th starter. If one of the top 4 starters are injured, we are looking at a repeat of last year in having our 6th and 7th starters or worse out there. And all of these guys will be no more than 5-6 IP guys, including Lester, with a higher probability of having disastorous starts, you know, getting knocked out in the 3rd or 4th.
Hope it works out. Tito will probably sleep better.
Given Papelbon's youth and what seems to be everyone's desire to have him remain as closer as long as possible, does this turn Hansen into a chip for the trading deadline? With the high price other teams were asking the Sox, do they turn that around now with Hansen? Do other orgs still regard him as a high ceiling prospect?
Rob,
I think Papelbon to closer is a good move assuming health? is not an issue. Did Dr. Gill get any questions this week from the Sox? Our starting five is now the same as last August plus Matsuzaka. Optimism reigns but last year we where in bottom of American league in ERA. I love Matsuzaka but it poses overall curiosity to me on this years optimism.
I would venture to say that neither a team nor a player "dictates" a role. The team has the right to do what it sees fit, but a player also has the right to contribute some input into what is essentially a career-defining decision.
If Papelbon's heart is in the closer's role, and that coincides with what's best for the Red Sox, then it's a no-brainer decision.
Never mind on that Hansen question. It looks like he answered it for me himself today. Ouch. Maybe Ankiel can show him how to swing a bat.
Thanks for the nice plug of soxprospects.com Rob and glad you visit the site.