Close-ing Time

First things first, I think Jonathan Papelbon is GREAT for baseball and especially the Red Sox. But I also know that the business of baseball says that when Paps' 6.25 mil contract is up for the Bo Sox, Daniel Bard is the one to usurp his throne. He is one of the most hyped rookies in Red Sox history and has got the lightning "stuff" to prove it.

Jonny is as close to you get as a sure thing in baseball. His saves going up in each of the last three years (35, 37, 41) respectively. But the dumbfounding thing is that little tidbit called ERA. That has also increased in the last three years. As a former catcher and baseball player what that equates to me is that people are seeing him MUCH more often and are figuring out that he is a FASTBALL pitcher. His number one pitch is a 95-98 mph hard one. his number 2 pitch is a fastball that he can spot on the corners, and his number 3 pitch is a fastball that he can just blow past everyone.

As far as I'm concerned there is only one closer that has the ability to shut people down with one pitch and that's good 'ol Mo in the Bronx. The reason why Mo Riv is so successful is because his "one pitch" moves...Paps' is straighter than an arrow and this season has struggled to be the dominant closer that was 2006- '07.

Unlike the "discounted" prices that Lester, Youkilis, and Pedroia got rewarded with this year, he has been holding out for what we'll call "K-Rod" Money. I can't say that he doesn't desrerve a substantial raise but probably not from the front office of the Red Sox. Especially, when there is a fireballing righty in the wings named Daniel Bard.

"Stuff" is great in a bullpen, but that shutdown mentality is unteachable, and mostly unattainable. For winnings sake I hope that Paps' gets the contract he deserves and hopes for, but in this economy the "Moneyball" philosophy says to let the big fish of the day go to catch the King of the Sea later.

Stay Tuned

Ryan