Let’s close the debate on Jonathan Papelbon right now
COMMENTARY
Jonathan Papelbon?
Well, there’s a potential way to disrupt the harmony that has been a definition of these Red Sox.
The last time we saw Papelbon in a Red Sox uniform, Baltimore’s Robert Andino capped off a collapse that would usher Terry Francona out as manager, and send general manager Theo Epstein to the Chicago Cubs. There was chicken, beer, and Josh Beckett’s search for the snitch in the Red Sox clubhouse. It was the dawn of Bobby Valentine, and the incessant celebration of a century of Fenway Park.
These were dark days, my friends.
It’s also not being entirely fair to Papelbon, who most Red Sox fans will remember fondly for closing out the Colorado Rockies in the 2007 World Series, and dancing with a 12-pack container on his head after Boston won the American League East. He amassed 219 saves here over seven seasons, but had seemingly worn out his welcome five years ago when he signed a five-year, $61 million free agent deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Well, now Red Sox manager John Farrell, who was Papelbon’s pitching coach during his time in Boston, apparently wants him back. The Washington Nationals released the 35-year-old over the weekend, and Farrell was all too quick to inquire about the righty’s desire to return to Boston.
Meh.
“Pap is a unique guy in many ways,” Farrell said. ”He’s a guy who thrives in the moment and thrives to be in critical spots in the game. While that closer role might be a thing behind him, the intangibles as a competitor haven’t changed.
“We don’t know if he’s coming back here, but going back to where you’ve been before there’s a lot of known aspects to that. Certainly the electricity of Fenway brings out the best in everybody. And you see it when visiting teams come in. We see it with our own guys. Our fans energize every player who steps on the field. If this comes to fruition, whether it adds some adrenaline remains to be seen.”
Of course, this was the same Papelbon who choked Bryce Harper last season for failing to run out a ground ball.
“He is crazy,” former teammate Jon Lester said. “But he’s no crazier than the rest of us. He just gets a bad rap for what happened in the dugout. Knowing Papelbon, I’ve always had good things to say about him as a teammate, how he respects the game and how he goes about his business.”
Great.
Is he even any good anymore?
He had 19 saves for the Nationals this season with a 4.37 ERA. He wouldn’t be usurping Kimbrel in the closer’s role, which leaves the door open for him to latch onto that job somewhere else. The Pirates have an opening after trading Mark Melancon to the Nationals, where he, you know, replaced Papelbon. The Cubs could use a bullpen righty with a chance to win a World Series.
But what would any team be getting? According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, “Papelbon had an 11.37 ERA in eight games after the All-Star break, but he has been very effective when used after some rest. With two days between his appearances, hitters are 1-for-13 against him this season. Less than two days’ rest, and he has been rocked.”
No, thanks.
“There’s no question he’s a different pitcher now than nine years ago,” Farrell said. “There are a lot of saves in between and a lot of pitches thrown. The one thing that you look at over the course of time and follow scouting reports, he’s evolved as a quote, unquote pitcher versus reliance solely on velocity.”
(Wait. Huh?)
“With the exception of a stretch in July when the performance was sub or less than what Pap is accustomed to, he’s been an effective pitcher. Coming back to Boston — if that were to happen — he’d be well aware of his environment and the expectation.”
Maybe, but he’s simply not the same guy who was in his last go-round these parts. He wasn’t very good in the National League the last two seasons, and comes with a volatility that might end up running some new teammates the wrong way.
It’s not worth the risk.
Photos: Aly Raisman wins silver
[bdc-gallery id=”1256770″]
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com