Papelbon to the Phillies
Another key piece of the Red Sox has to be replaced this off-season. Papelbon recently left as a free agent and signed with the Phillies. This loss is not a significant a some of the others but during his time with the Red Sox Papelbon had 219 saves with a 2.33 ERA. Papelbon helped bring Boston the world Series title in 2007. But now it is time for the closer in waiting, Daniel Bard, to step up. He definitely has the potential to be a lights outs closer with a 100mph fastball and almost an unhittable slider. After the all-star break last season Bard struggled though. His fastball was up in the zone and he couldn’t throw his slider for a strike. No matter how hard a pitcher throws if a pitch is left over the middle of the plate Major League hitters are going to turn on it.This upcoming season there will be even more pressure on Bard to perform well with the increased work load he will be getting compared to his setup role of last season. He might not have to pitch as many innings but pressure in the 9th inning will be insurmountable. It is Daniel Bard’s show now. It is his time to prove that he is one of the elite pitchers in the league or if he is just another pitcher with electric stuff tat didn’t pan out.
stats from mlb.com
Closer Situation
With Jonathan Papelbon’s contract expiring and Daniel Bard becoming eligible for arbitration the Red Sox have some crucial decisions in front of the this off-season. Papelbon had a stellar season…until September rolled around. Daniel Bard as off the charts stuff with an easy 100mph fastball and unhittable slider but struggled after the All-Star break.
At the age of 30 Papelbon is no longer a young fireballer. Baseball rule of thumb says that when pitchers get older their arms slow down. So the logical move by the Red Sox is to trade Papelbon while he still has value and to turn the 9th inning over to the young gun with electric stuff. But I believe the Red Sox should be patient. I think that the Sox should resign Papelbon if he is willing to negotiate as well as Bard. Then I would wait until the trade deadline to decide the fate of the these two pitchers. If Bard regains his dominant form and Papelbon pitches well the Sox should deal Papelbon for his maximum value from a desperate team at the deadline. And if Bard continues to struggle the Sox should try and deal him to try and get something out of him before his stock completely plummets.
It is going to be an interesting off-season for the Red Sox with all of the contracts expiring and key players eligible for arbitration. Hopefully the Sox avoid making any huge mistakes and try to make some key acquisitions to improve the starting rotation.
