DISQUS

Cowardly move. The ruling troika seems to have decided they'll take less flack if the team fails with a closer than if the team fails without one. Now that they've gotten their revised medical "advice", their butts are covered if Paps suffers another fatigue-induced subluxation.


I'm hoping everyone remembers that Papelbon is going to be a part-time closer -- no 3-in-a-row appearances, and no two inning saves (provided Tito's natural inclination to overwork him is reined in). Lots of save opportunities will go to the "committee" on his forced off days.



This is a direct slap in the face to Joel Pineiro, who had improved dramatically over the course of the spring. He was a fool to sign here. He never had a chance.



Let's hope this is just a one year postponement to Papelbon's permanent move to the rotation. Next year's closer had better be named Cox or Hansen. Meanwhile, I think Kason Gabbard has pitched well enough to have earned a shot at the 5th slot while we're waiting for Jon Lester to be ready.

Rob,


We've been reading a lot about Bryce Cox lately (in those other papers), but nothing about anybody else in the minor league camp. Any news about Justin Masterson? Daniel Bard? Carlos Fernandez? Ryan Kalish?



I know you're not on site anymore, but ... are you hearing anything about these guys?

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?

All I know is there ae only THREE kinds of people out there....
Those that know how to add, and those that don't.
So there!

I don't think the Sox are making a mistake by not guaranteeing '08 for Schilling before the season.


If he has a great year, it'll cost a premium to resign him, but they'll have some assurance that he'll be worth every dime. If he signs with someone else (and he's said it will NOT be the Yankees), it'll be as a Type A free agent, the Sox will get a first round and a supplemental draft pick.



I don't think the "wait and see" response is an unreasonable one.

Sorry for the above. No more.

Mime instructor: "NO talking aloud allowed!".