As a Yankee fan, I’m thrilled. It’s not that I’m happy that the Yanks don’t have to face Jon Papelbon anymore, though I guess I am, it’s that I’m happy I don’t have hear Red Sox fans talk about how great he is or see that stupid look on his face before every pitch or see him get entirely too excited over stupid little things. I don’t like that guy, the NL can have him.
I think the Phillies overpayed for Pap a little bit but I really don’t think it’s a bad move, at least not nearly as bad as it’s being made out to be. I understand the poor history of signing relievers to long term deals and I get the craziness of paying about $12.5 million for a guy to throw 70 innings a year but Papelbon is a good closer on a team that sorely needs one. Ryan Madson is very very good but he’s a bit of an unproven commodity. I know he did well as closer last season but I’m not sure if you can count on him over the course of 162 9th innings. It almost seems like the Phils were paying for piece of mind. They got sick of the stress of handing 8 brilliant innings of Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, or Cole Hamels over to Micheal Stutes, Antonio Bastardo, or Ryan Madson.
As much as I hate to admit it, Papelbon is an upper echelon closer whose proved that he is capable of handling big games and with a history of post season success. He’s coming off a very good season and is moving to an inferior division in an inferior league to face a bunch of guys who have never seen him before. I think he’ll get off to a hot start in Philadelphia and although the Phillies gave up too much money and a draft pick they maybe couldn’t afford to lose in the long run, they’ll be happy with the signing come season’s end.
-Max Frankel
