TwitterFurther Evidence
23 Aug 2009
Further Evidence that Jonathan Papelbon is a doofus. Basically Papelbon doesn’t think Billy Wagner would help the club and was entirely disrespectful, in my mind, when talking about the idea.
ESPN has the following quote from Papelbon on WEEI: "What has he done? Has he pitched this year? Is he ready to pitch or is he not? I think our bullpen is good where we’re at right now. Don’t get me wrong. But I guess you could always make it better. It’s kind of like the Gagne thing, I guess."
What is he thinking? Isn’t Billy Wagner better than Enrique Gonzalez? Seriously? Isn’t he potentially better than almost anyone in the bullpen? Why is he even talking about it? He clearly lacks the "better left unsaid" gene. Completely low-grade. Ok, Papelbon has spoken, the bullpen is the best ever and cannot be improved. Granted, if the rumors are true that Wagner wants the Red Sox to guarantee that they A.) won’t exercise his 2010 option and B.) will not offer him salary arbitration. The only way they agree to that is if the Mets basically give him away. Silly demands for a player that wants to win, and more like demands from a pitcher that wants to get paid more money and doesn’t concern himself with winning. So much turmoil, baseball ribaldry!
Aug 23, 2009 @ 23:41:13
I hadn’t seen Wagner’s wishes. Walk away if that is the case and as you are leaving the conversation ask him how it’s worked out for the Mets and the money he’s made while on the shelf…
Aug 24, 2009 @ 19:38:23
I think it needs to be pointed out that Wagner entered 2009 knowing the Mets were going to decline his 2010 option since the had signed K-Rod and unsure if he was going to pitch again. I can’t really fault him for wanting to be a free agent again and not a setup guy for more than a couple of months.
Aug 24, 2009 @ 19:55:40
Regardless of what sort of arrangement Wagner is looking for, it doesn’t change the fact that Papelbon took the low road in ripping at a fellow pitcher – a guy who has more than a few successful innings to his name. Same sort of lip he gave about Mo being the closer for the 2008 ASG at The Stadium.
Aug 24, 2009 @ 22:39:43
who’s to say he wouldn’t be the closer in Boston in 2010?
Show me the money works both ways. Show you have the stuff and go for the gig. I think the Sox are not afraid to move pap if necessary. His attitude, as you point out, isn’t conducive to “team” at times. It gets tiring listening to some pro athletes, it really does.
Aug 25, 2009 @ 09:51:06
And I think BL just nailed the reason for Papelbon being so negative/challenging about Wagner – he’s afraid of – or maybe insecure about – the challenges that might come as Wagner gets stronger. Show me the money vs who can give us the best results/bang for the buck.
Deal seems like it might be dead. We’ll see today …
Aug 25, 2009 @ 11:07:51
Heyman is reporting that it’s dead.
Aug 25, 2009 @ 12:01:52
Ah, OK. Here’s a “technical” question then: does this mean that another team could then take a run at signing Wagner?
Aug 25, 2009 @ 13:11:40
If I understand your question right, not until the Mets release him. But, if they did that they would pay the remainder of his salary and the $1 million for declining his option.
Aug 25, 2009 @ 13:28:15
Hold on a sec, now they are reporting the deal is alive and kicking.
Aug 25, 2009 @ 14:20:06
Done deal indeed.
Also, I wouldn’t be surprise, AT ALL, to see Jonathan Papelbon pitch one more year in Boston (2010) and then become the Yankees closer in 2011.
He is very interested in the money and has made that clear and the timing seems to work for this sort of arrangement. He is also a good pitcher and the Yankees might just need some a closer at that time.
Just my attempt at prognosticating.
Aug 25, 2009 @ 15:26:21
Mark this down. If that happens I am going to upchuck all over you.