2:25pm: ESPN Boston's Gordon Edes reports that the two sides did in fact come to an agreement today, and Papelbon will earn $9.35MM on a one year deal in 2010. Incentives could put another $150K in the closer's pocket.
1:19pm: WEEI.com's Rob Bradford hears that the Red Sox and closer Jonathan Papelbon may have a one year deal worth $9MM in place. The team may announce that arbitration figures were exchanged, though Bradford expects the deal to get done.
The deal would make Papelbon the ninth highest paid relief pitcher in baseball, just ahead of Brian Fuentes. He earned $6.25MM in 2009, the record for a first year arbitration eligible pitcher. Since breaking into the big leagues in 2005, Papelbon's 1.84 ERA is the second best in the game (behind Joe Nathan) among pitchers with at least as many innings pitched.
renegade
That’s kind of a lot considering Bard is basically ready to take over for 400k/year
Tony Bowman
Bard is NOT ready to take over as the full-time closer. He still has a lot to learn and needs to be more consistent.
Guest 638
Agreed, hes just a couple years removed from Craig Hansenitis. No way should he be the closer this year.
YuppieScum
That’s conjecture hullo.
peterherman
Bard is a promising young pitcher, but not a lock to handle the 9th. Papelbon has repeatedly stated that he has no interest in signing away any arbitration or free agent years at this point. The Sox aren’t going to get him on a team-friendly long-term deal, and $9MM would be better than $12MM.
robdes
This is a good move either way, get some security at the closer position and if Bard flourishes then you may have a good trade chip at the deadline to possibly acquire a bat to make a deep playoff run.
$1529282
I hope Papelbon keeps going year-to-year and then ends up having to take a contract that’s about 20% of what his egotistical mind is dreaming of every night.
Ryan Riddell
2 mil for his closing abilities, 7.35 mil for his huge ego.
andrewyf
He’s already making more money than if he had signed a long-term deal. Papelbon is absolutely handling this the right way if his goal is the most money possible.
$1529282
Unless he gets injured or has a garbage year and gets non-tendered to save money. He did walk more batters in 2009 than he did in 2007-2008 combined. He also posted his lowest WAR of his career.
He’s become more hittable the past two seasons, and his control is slipping. He was still overall a dominant reliever, but he’s shown signs of regression at least.
I don’t think anything would make me happier to see Papelbon get rocked to the tune of a 5.00+ ERA. Here’s hoping he’s the 2010 Brad Lidge.
FenwayFaithfulDevilsFan
Most relievers stats are very skewed due to the lack of innings pitched. Papelbon got roughed up a few times last season, but if you look at the important statistics, he blew about his average saves (3) and a 1.85 ERA racking up 38 saves… thats about all I need to say.
Was he more hittable? yes.
Are most pitchers more hittable as they age in the majors? yes.
Do the greats like Papelbon adjust? Yes.
Some notes on last year…
1) nearly every homer he gave up was on a slider he missed on. The slider is a new pitch and while its pretty solid, his control on it is lacking
2) he did not throw the splitter in 2009. He chose to stick with the slider. In my eyes, a mistake.
3) He’s pitched in over 20 games where he did not even have a save opportunity. He has thrown 140 innings roughly over the past 2 seasons. I don’t know if there are any other closers in baseball who have done that. The more you throw, the more you tire, the more you leave the ball up.
They will be much more conservative with him this year.
$1529282
Unless he gets injured or has a garbage year and gets non-tendered to save money. He did walk more batters in 2009 than he did in 2007-2008 combined. He also posted his lowest WAR of his career.
He’s become more hittable the past two seasons, and his control is slipping. He was still overall a dominant reliever, but he’s shown signs of regression at least.
I don’t think anything would make me happier to see Papelbon get rocked to the tune of a 5.00+ ERA. Here’s hoping he’s the 2010 Brad Lidge.
bosox217
Alright for starters i want to say I’m a big Red Sox fan who is sick and tired of hearing people talking about how Papelbon has such great trade value. He doesn’t at all. A closer on a one year deal making 9mil (may still be under team control for another year? Either way his salary will most likely only rise through arb). He has also stated he wants to test the free agent market and get the biggest paycheck he can. If he does get traded i highly doubt anyone would give up a big bat for a closer. It seems as if most teams in the majors are transitioning to cheaper options in the bullpen.
Second, Daniel Bard has pitched a total of ONE SEASON at the major league level. There is NO CHANCE that he is ready as of yet to take over the closers role. He may at some point down the road but only time will tell. Bard may be fun to watch with that 100mph fastball but IMO he still needs to fine tune his off speed pitches. Right now with Okajima, Bard, and Papelbon the Red Sox have a very formidable back end of the rotation….that is if Papelbon learns that he can actually get people out without using a fastball every pitch. Ride it out this year and who know’s what will happen going into 2011.
FenwayFaithfulDevilsFan
agreed. couldn’t have said it better.
0bsessions
Looks like Epstein’s no arbitration hearings streak stays alive.
BoSoxSam
Well, technically I think Hermida is still out there? But yeah. Papelbon was the only one I thought might go to hearing. 😛
0bsessions
Looks like Epstein’s no arbitration hearings streak stays alive.
bosox21
Alright for starters i want to say I’m a big Red Sox fan who is sick and tired of hearing people talking about how Papelbon has such great trade value. He doesn’t at all. A closer on a one year deal making 9mil (may still be under team control for another year? Either way his salary will most likely only rise through arb). He has also stated he wants to test the free agent market and get the biggest paycheck he can. If he does get traded i highly doubt anyone would give up a big bat for a closer. It seems as if most teams in the majors are transitioning to cheaper options in the bullpen.
Second, Daniel Bard has pitched a total of ONE SEASON at the major league level. There is NO CHANCE that he is ready as of yet to take over the closers role. He may at some point down the road but only time will tell. Bard may be fun to watch with that 100mph fastball but IMO he still needs to fine tune his off speed pitches. Right now with Okajima, Bard, and Papelbon the Red Sox have a very formidable back end of the rotation….that is if Papelbon learns that he can actually get people out without using a fastball every pitch. Ride it out this year and who know’s what will happen going into 2011.
bosox21
Alright for starters i want to say I’m a big Red Sox fan who is sick and tired of hearing people talking about how Papelbon has such great trade value. He doesn’t at all. A closer on a one year deal making 9mil (may still be under team control for another year? Either way his salary will most likely only rise through arb). He has also stated he wants to test the free agent market and get the biggest paycheck he can. If he does get traded i highly doubt anyone would give up a big bat for a closer. It seems as if most teams in the majors are transitioning to cheaper options in the bullpen.
Second, Daniel Bard has pitched a total of ONE SEASON at the major league level. There is NO CHANCE that he is ready as of yet to take over the closers role. He may at some point down the road but only time will tell. Bard may be fun to watch with that 100mph fastball but IMO he still needs to fine tune his off speed pitches. Right now with Okajima, Bard, and Papelbon the Red Sox have a very formidable back end of the rotation….that is if Papelbon learns that he can actually get people out without using a fastball every pitch. Ride it out this year and who know’s what will happen going into 2011.
bosox21
wierd it went in twice with two different names….my bad lol
bosox21
wierd it went in twice with two different names….my bad lol
OhioSox
Oh how I can’t wait to see his egotistical self off the team sometime soon.
FenwayFaithfulDevilsFan
Why? The dude was made for Boston. I hope he becomes a lifetime Red Sox when he finds out the money won’t be out there for closers. Papelbon has the chance to go down as one of the greatest closers to ever play the game, whether you like him or not. Was I pissed at him for blowing the game this year? Sure, but the way we were playin, we weren’t gonna come back anyway. Not only that, but I know because he relies so heavily on his ego, he’s been working his butt off this offseason to get himself back to the top. We may well see Papelbon’s best season, this season. There are a lot of reasons for him to come out firing.
OhioSox
hopefully he does come out to prove everyone wrong but I didn’t like that he was all about the money. That was the one thing that irked me when he said that publicly.
FenwayFaithfulDevilsFan
Believe me, Papelbon knows he was made for Boston. He’s Irish, abnoxious, and I bet you he likes to drink A LOT lol. I love him and I hope he hangs in Beantown for a long time. If there’s anyone that cuts ties, its the Sox, not Papelbon. Bard is something special in the making and Pap knows it will come down to a business decision on both parts. If the Sox can have Bard for 400k why pay someone else to close for 12-15 million. Keep in mind, Paps on pace for the record books. He’s been successful in Boston, and I’d predict a series of 3 year deals for Papelbon down the line. I don’t see anyone giving him 12-15 a season besides the Angels if they got desperate. I’d say a series of 3/33-35MM over the rest of his career keeps him in Boston. Not sure if Theo wants to do that tho
Also, after all the criticism of teams
FenwayFaithfulDevilsFan
Sorry. After the criticism of teams overspending on closers, I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but I can promise you if Pap looks for 3/45-4/60 he aint gonna find it. Mets are set. Yanks have bigger problems after this year, such as jeter and mariano’s contracts and replacing Gardner in LF. Among other issues. They won’t waste 15MM on a closer who’s hated in NY. The angels may have to go all in, but fuentes could still work out fine for them. Who else would overpay for a closer? Seattle has Aardsma, so they won’t either.
Its Boston for Pap, and I think he will realize it quickly. He’s a pretty smart fellow
OhioSox
Oh how I can’t wait to see his egotistical self off the team sometime soon.
0bsessions
Apparently the Sox also came to terms with Ramirez and Delcarmen. I think that’s all but Hermida for the Sox.
0bsessions
Apparently the Sox also came to terms with Ramirez and Delcarmen. I think that’s all but Hermida for the Sox.
BoSoxSam
Well, all I have to say is: if Papelbon deserves 9m, Verlander DEFINITELY deserves that.
FenwayFaithfulDevilsFan
again. Agreed. Closers getting that kind of money is ridiculous. Gimme nick green for the 9th lol.
Death_To_Flying_Things
Wow, only the Red Sox and Yankees can afford to play a closer this much. I know Bard may not totally be ready, but at what point do you cut the slight loss in production to save like 8.6 million? Or even make a trade for some random undervalued reliever and make him a closer, this is just a joke.
Johnny
The Rays ,of all teams, spent 7.25 on closer Rafael Soriano this year..thats only a couple mil off from Paps contract…now that surprised me…