I'm thinking we will see a slightly worse version of 2016 Papelbon.A couple side sessions with pitching gurus Farrell and Willis and I'm sure we'll see 2006 Paps.
I'm thinking we will see a slightly worse version of 2016 Papelbon.A couple side sessions with pitching gurus Farrell and Willis and I'm sure we'll see 2006 Paps.
But, but Brian Bannister.......I'm thinking we will see a slightly worse version of 2016 Papelbon.
It actually has nothing to do with the staff in place. Bannister I don't think can help him regain velocity. He's getting hit in the NL East. The AL East would be much harder. Also, depends on if he accepts his role as a 6th or maybe 7th inning guy. I'll cheer him if he returns but I just don't know how much sense it makes given his performance the last year or so.But, but Brian Bannister.......
Not only do I think the AL v NL argument has lost a lot of steam (and especially AL East v NL East), it's especially worthless when talking about a closer. Half the argument is facing a pitcher 2-3 times through the lineup, which doesn't apply to a closer.It actually has nothing to do with the staff in place. Bannister I don't think can help him regain velocity. He's getting hit in the NL East. The AL East would be much harder. Also, depends on if he accepts his role as a 6th or maybe 7th inning guy. I'll cheer him if he returns but I just don't know how much sense it makes given his performance the last year or so.
Didn't know you could trade players for free agents...If Paps is coming to Boston Panda had better be headed back the other way.
Why would anyone offer him anything but the minimum? The Nats are paying the tab.I'd absolutely try to sign Papelbon unless someone else were to offer him silly money. Which I don't think will happen.
The Sox need help. I don't know if he can provide it. But I think it's worth a little risk to find out.
If they don't, they risk losing him in one of those free agent trades that are all the rageWhy would anyone offer him anything but the minimum? The Nats are paying the tab.
Ever seen two black holes collide? It's not a matter of trading, it's a matter of survival.Didn't know you could trade players for free agents...
I read that he requested the release only after being informed that he was going to be DFA anyway. This release isn't the result of a petulant tantrum due to losing his job, it's him wanting more control over where he went next (since DFA would have meant waivers and/or a trade).So, Papelbon requests his release because he's not closing. Why in the hell would we even think about bringing him in here? Unless you want him to close. Then knock yourself out. Just make sure you leave him there.
If there ever was a poster boy for the "anointed closer" it's him. Sure, "kick the tires". DD should look at every option available, but I can't picture him being "happy" in another role, especially with this team unless things have changed. Maybe they have, but I have my doubts.I read that he requested the release only after being informed that he was going to be DFA anyway. This release isn't the result of a petulant tantrum due to losing his job, it's him wanting more control over where he went next (since DFA would have meant waivers and/or a trade).
I don't think concerns over his attitude toward not closing should be a reason to not at least kick the tires. I think the fact that he's had a worse year than Tazawa, Barnes, Ross, and Kimbrel (for starters) is what should give the team pause. Would he even be an upgrade over what they have?
It seems like even if we could find such a reliever he would come here and regress. Maybe we sign Papelbon and it's a reverse lock.We're not going to find some 2.00 ERA 14.5 K/9 reliever out there.
And f we did he'd come here and be infected by the Boston pitching suck like Kimbrell and Price. Hopefully they find the same cure Porcello did.Absolutely nothing wrong with seeing what he has. We spend lots of time on here talking about if guys have the makeup to succeed here. We know he can handle that.
We're not going to find some 2.00 ERA 14.5 K/9 reliever out there.
WaPost article this morning bears this out on circumstances of his departure. Nothing but flowers for him from Rizzo, through Baker through his teammates. In granting his request for a release, the Nats guaranteed his salary for the rest of the season -- which isn't a ton of money, but is further evidence of a good terms parting.I read that he requested the release only after being informed that he was going to be DFA anyway. This release isn't the result of a petulant tantrum due to losing his job, it's him wanting more control over where he went next (since DFA would have meant waivers and/or a trade).
I don't think concerns over his attitude toward not closing should be a reason to not at least kick the tires. I think the fact that he's had a worse year than Tazawa, Barnes, Ross, and Kimbrel (for starters) is what should give the team pause. Would he even be an upgrade over what they have?
They would have owed him the money either way. They granted him his release instead of designating him for assignment.WaPost article this morning bears this out on circumstances of his departure. Nothing but flowers for him from Rizzo, through Baker through his teammates. In granting his request for a release, the Nats guaranteed his salary for the rest of the season -- which isn't a ton of money, but is further evidence of a good terms parting..
Farrell took it a step further during the pre-game this afternoon. When asked about Pap he said that the group HAS discussed him and ways he could help the team. Spoke in a tone to suggest that it was something that was about to happen.Scott Lauber ESPN Staff Writer
Asked Dave Dombrowski if the Red Sox would be interested in a reunion with newly released reliever Jonathan Papelbon. "It just happened, but I would say it's worth looking into," Dombrowski said.
I've had a growing feeling in my gut this weekend that he's coming back. With 3 active roster spots open, I would not be surprised to see him signed tomorrow morning.Farrell took it a step further during the pre-game this afternoon. When asked about Pap he said that the group HAS discussed him and ways he could help the team. Spoke in a tone to suggest that it was something that was about to happen.
Or better yet......allow him to keep his same number at Pawtucket.He's an ass hole, but he's our ass hole. (And mine, more specifically.) And relievers are needed. Tell Abad to pick a new number.
I can't be the only one who has had some idle speculation about what Kopech might do in the bigs.We're not going to find some 2.00 ERA 14.5 K/9 reliever out there.
I've have had some idle speculation as well, so there are two of us. The clock is a reason I wouldn't see him added. But... 105MPH arms only have so many bullets in them,I can't be the only one who has had some idle speculation about what Kopech might do in the bigs.
He doesn't have to be added to the 40 man for three more years. Unless they're planning to convert him to a reliever you'd think they would want him to pitch at least a season and a half more after this season what with all the time he has lost.
If they add him now (or more likely, 9/1) they'd have to burn an option in 17 and 18 meaning he'd have to stick in 20 or be exposed.
I have a hard time thinking the probability of him being good enough to make the difference is worth it but we do need bullpen help and there's no guarantee the Sox are competitive in 19 or 20.
No, he hasn't even thrown a pitch in AA yet. He is basically a FB pitcher with sketchy command. He isn't even likely to make the Sox next year as he needs to learn to command his FB better and refine at least one secondary pitch. Bringing him up now is almost certainly going to derail his development.I can't be the only one who has had some idle speculation about what Kopech might do in the bigs.
He doesn't have to be added to the 40 man for three more years. Unless they're planning to convert him to a reliever you'd think they would want him to pitch at least a season and a half more after this season what with all the time he has lost.
If they add him now (or more likely, 9/1) they'd have to burn an option in 17 and 18 meaning he'd have to stick in 20 or be exposed.
I have a hard time thinking the probability of him being good enough to make the difference is worth it but we do need bullpen help and there's no guarantee the Sox are competitive in 19 or 20.
I'd be really shocked too, though I don't think he would necessarily be a disaster as a 6th or 7th inning 1.5 pitch pitcher out of the pen. If he's pushing 100mph in his starts, I can't even imagine what that would be in the pen. It's not exactly fun hitting those in 45 degree post season weather.No, he hasn't even thrown a pitch in AA yet. He is basically a FB pitcher with sketchy command. He isn't even likely to make the Sox next year as he needs to learn to command his FB better and refine at least one secondary pitch. Bringing him up now is almost certainly going to derail his development.
As for Paps, the one concern is that he was terrible right before being released. Has he run out of bullets or is it SSS blip? Sox don't have the luxury to figure out if he is simply cooked which may well be the case.
As of July 23rd, Paps looked like an upgrade on the worst pitcher in our pen. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=papeljo01&t=p&year=2016My meaningless vote is 'nay' on bringing him back.
Papelbon just isn't a good enough pitcher anymore, to add his personal drama to what is, to all appearances, a really good clubhouse atmosphere among both pitchers and hitters.
It was different all those years ago, when he was absolutely nails.
This isn't necessarily a July 23rd thing, but Papelbon has had an abnormal amount of game-to-game variance in his fastball velocity this year. Not sure what that signifies.The question that has to be answered is if pre July 23rd Paps is a materially different pitcher than post July 23rd or did he just run into a string of bad luck? We aren't getting pre July 23rd Paps so if he is worn down/injured/old he isn't an upgrade over anyone. If it was just bad luck then perhaps he can help.
23 innings, 11bb, 29k. Today was nice, though.Rob Bradford @bradfo 21m21 minutes ago
Henry Owens allows one run over seven innings tonight. In his last four starts, he has a 1.57 ERA with 29 Ks. Warrants watching.
I wouldn't be shocked to see if he gets another shot before the end of the season
Great analysis Bradfo-Rob Bradford @bradfo 21m21 minutes ago
Henry Owens allows one run over seven innings tonight. In his last four starts, he has a 1.57 ERA with 29 Ks. Warrants watching.
I wouldn't be shocked to see if he gets another shot before the end of the season