Not only did the Tampa Bay Devil Rays have a better ERA then the Boston rotation, now they are saying Papelbon is not even medically cleared to close games and who knows how many innings he can pitch as a starter. I LOVE IT!!! Sox will have a weak rotation with no pen and NO closer...........

BOSTON -- Terry Francona doesn't expect Jonathan Papelbon to move back into the bullpen, even though it would make the Boston manager's life easier.

"If I had my druthers, he would be our closer," Francona said Tuesday, a day before heading to Florida to get an early start on spring training. "It's not happening. We have to respect the medical people's advice."

Papelbon was thrust into the closer's role as a rookie in 2006 when Keith Foulke struggled to recover from back, elbow and knee injuries. Papelbon saved 35 games in 41 tries and was the runner-up for AL Rookie of the Year despite a shoulder injury that caused him to cut his season short in September.

Because of the injury -- a tired shoulder, but short of the torn labrum he feared -- doctors recommended that Papelbon pitch in the rotation this year so he would have a more regular and predictable schedule.

But the Red Sox do not have a closer as spring training approaches, a major hole after an offseason spending spree that included Daisuke Matsuzaka ($103 million), J.D. Drew ($70 million) and Julio Lugo ($36 million).

Francona said it's possible Papelbon will wind up in the bullpen, but only if the anointed closer fails, Papelbon struggles as a starter and the doctors OK the move.

"I suppose the possibility exists, but I think it's a long shot," Francona said, adding such a move would come "way into the season."

Instead, Francona repeated that the closer will likely emerge from the group that includes Joel Pineiro, Brendan Donnelly, Mike Timlin and Julian Tavarez. Craig Hansen and Manny Delcarmen are also competing for jobs as relievers.

"We feel initially the closer will emerge from four right-handers," pitching coach John Farrell said. "It is our goal to definitely name one closer, so other roles fall in line as we get closer to the start of the season."

In other comments, Francona said:

• Starter Curt Schilling's announcement that he would like to play another season might come to nothing. "A year is a long time. He might change [his mind] again," Francona said. "What's important to me it us trying to win now. Whether he pitches three more years or one more year, there's no doubt you're going to get the best out of him."

• Outfielder Manny Ramirez was content, even though the team wasn't able to fulfill his trade request. "I think he's OK. I don't think there's any problem," Francona said.

• Starter Jon Lester, who is recovering from lymphoma, will report to spring training but be encouraged to go slowly. "He doesn't want to hear any of it," Francona said. "But he's a smart enough kid to understand. He's had a traumatic winter."

Francona said one of the first items on his spring training agenda was to talk with Papelbon about putting too much pressure on himself. Papelbon said last month that he wants to prove himself as a starter; "I told Theo the other day, 'I guess I'm going to have to go out and win five in a row to quiet everybody,"' Papelbon said.

"We want him to understand it's going to be a long season," Francona said. "That will be the first thing we talk about."

go yanks

Oh I'm sure Red Sox 'fans' will have something to say about that article. It'll be something along the lines of 'A Rod sucks Jeter's gay cock' or any of the other usual A Rod is gay bullshit and won't actually acknowledge anything about their own team.

Jays to really cement 2nd and maybe give the Yankees a run this season...

:)

You Yankee fans need to worry about your own team.

With Bosox hitting????????????????

It's the begining of February.

:secret: they make trades in baseball.

This "news" is only about 5 months old. Someone will have to step up, as "closer by committee" will not work as the Sox have already figured out.

i've heard so many conflicting reports that i don't believe anything until i see in on the field.....if the sox don't trade for a closer i'm guessing that pap is the closer opening day...in fact i'd almost be willing to bet on it

and jon lester will be the surprise of the spring....he wasn't expected to add anything this year and he's going to end up with 14 wins

This "news" is only about 5 months old. Someone will have to step up, as "closer by committee" will not work as the Sox have already figured out.


I am not a Red Sox fan either.. I like to stick up for the Sox and I live in NE, and I cheer for the Pats, but not the Sox... I guess maybe if they didnt come in 3rd, I might be a Sox fan...


Boy, more words out of your mouth you in denial Sox fan!!!

I am not a Red Sox fan either.. I like to stick up for the Sox and I live in NE, and I cheer for the Pats, but not the Sox... I guess maybe if they didnt come in 3rd, I might be a Sox fan...


Boy, more words out of your mouth you in denial Sox fan!!!

You must be finished installing your new drapes in the double-wide. I am not a die hard Red Sox fan. I don't know how I can be any clearer than that. I do not live and die for the Sox as I do the Patriots. I still read about them, watch some of their games, and follow them mostly because there is nothing else on in the summer. I guess only die hard fans are allowed to post in baseball forums. :scratch:

i've heard so many conflicting reports that i don't believe anything until i see in on the field.....if the sox don't trade for a closer i'm guessing that pap is the closer opening day...in fact i'd almost be willing to bet on it

and jon lester will be the surprise of the spring....he wasn't expected to add anything this year and he's going to end up with 14 wins

So now Terry and Theo are lying? And Pap WANTS TO and is DEMANDING to be a closer

Terry Francona doesn't expect Jonathan Papelbon to move back into the bullpen, even though it would make the Boston manager's life easier.

"If I had my druthers, he would be our closer," Francona said Tuesday, a day before heading to Florida to get an early start on spring training. "It's not happening. We have to respect the medical people's advice."

Because of the injury -- a tired shoulder, but short of the torn labrum he feared -- doctors recommended that Papelbon pitch in the rotation this year so he would have a more regular and predictable schedule.

But the Red Sox do not have a closer as spring training approaches, a major hole after an offseason spending spree that included Daisuke Matsuzaka ($103 million), J.D. Drew ($70 million) and Julio Lugo ($36 million).

Instead, Francona repeated that the closer will likely emerge from the group that includes Joel Pineiro, Brendan Donnelly, Mike Timlin and Julian Tavarez. Craig Hansen and Manny Delcarmen are also competing for jobs as relievers.

"We feel initially the closer will emerge from four right-handers," pitching coach John Farrell said. "It is our goal to definitely name one closer, so other roles fall in line as we get closer to the start of the season."

HAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

* Lester has to worry about his health and he will not last teh whole season.........

"now they are saying Papelbon is not even medically cleared to close games"

did they say this douchebag?

"now they are saying Papelbon is not even medically cleared to close games"

did they say this douchebag?

Can you read cunt face:

Terry Francona doesn't expect Jonathan Papelbon to move back into the bullpen, even though it would make the Boston manager's life easier.

"If I had my druthers, he would be our closer," Francona said Tuesday, a day before heading to Florida to get an early start on spring training. "It's not happening. We have to respect the medical people's advice."

Because of the injury -- a tired shoulder, but short of the torn labrum he feared -- doctors recommended that Papelbon pitch in the rotation this year so he would have a more regular and predictable

100 million dollar payroll = 3rd place

http://greetings.123city.net/TempPictures/61582.jpg

100 million dollar payroll = 3rd place

WRONG, get the numbers right, 123 MILLION dollars to finish 3rd in the AL East and 8th overall in the AL...OUCH

Cunt face?

Fucking douchebag - you are reading into it. You LOVE ripping on Boston teams go for it. i will go post for post.. toe to toe with any of your knowledge...

If you 'read' anything coming out of Boston - they are moving him into the rotation because it will be better for his shoulder... not because he hasnt been 'medically cleared'...

He can still go back to closer.. and may happen.. From the beginning Paps has been envisioned as a starter.. he is too good to use as a closer.. his upside as a starter far exceeds what he can do as a closer.. he has 4 pitches and the makeup..

Eat it.

From the beginning Paps has been envisioned as a starter..

Paps? That's funny.

Cunt face?

Fucking douchebag - you are reading into it. You LOVE ripping on Boston teams go for it. i will go post for post.. toe to toe with any of your knowledge...

If you 'read' anything coming out of Boston - they are moving him into the rotation because it will be better for his shoulder... not because he hasnt been 'medically cleared'...

He can still go back to closer.. and may happen.. From the beginning Paps has been envisioned as a starter.. he is too good to use as a closer.. his upside as a starter far exceeds what he can do as a closer.. he has 4 pitches and the makeup..

Eat it.

The way I read it is the "medical staff" of the sox feel he physically CAN NOT be a closer this year, at this time. My thinking is, did the red sox FUCK UP Paps starting ability, will a shoulder problem that is preventing from closing prevent him from going 6-7 innings every 5th day?

Time will tell with PAPS, it would be a shame if the sox fucked this guys career up. Can't wait till the Yanks tee off on hs ass.............

Paps? That's funny.

you know im actually gonna hafta agree with you on that....dont call him paps, EVER.

and listen, yankee fans level with me here i can understand the negativity towards boston obviously the yanks are ur team, but you guys like nuge say stupid meaningless shit just because its boston which is a great city, you dont hafta like the red sox but if your a true fan of the game youll respect them just like i respect the yanks and what they have done for baseball, so grow the fuck up so we can actually have meaningful baseball discussion instead of stupid shit being said.

you know im actually gonna hafta agree with you on that....dont call him paps, EVER.

and listen, yankee fans level with me here i can understand the negativity towards boston obviously the yanks are ur team, but you guys like nuge say stupid meaningless shit just because its boston which is a great city, you dont hafta like the red sox but if your a true fan of the game youll respect them just like i respect the yanks and what they have done for baseball, so grow the fuck up so we can actually have meaningful baseball discussion instead of stupid shit being said.

Don't worry about Paps, he will be on the DL by June.

You need to talk to your red sox fans son, I want to talk facts but all I get is A Rod sucks, Mo sucks, Yanks have not won in so many years.....Anyone wants to talk ball, I am there. You want to get all rude and e tough, well then I am there as well.

And honestly, I do not see the sox improving enough from the 8th best team in the AL to claiming the Wild Card this year. I think the sox have the best 3-4 combo in baseball, but everything else is a HUGE question mark, add in the fact they have NO closer and you have a long year ahead of you guys, those are the FACTS.

Don't worry about Paps, he will be on the DL by June.

You need to talk to your red sox fans son, I want to talk facts but all I get is A Rod sucks, Mo sucks, Yanks have not won in so many years.....Anyone wants to talk ball, I am there. You want to get all rude and e tough, well then I am there as well.

And honestly, I do not see the sox improving enough from the 8th best team in the AL to claiming the Wild Card this year. I think the sox have the best 3-4 combo in baseball, but everything else is a HUGE question mark, add in the fact they have NO closer and you have a long year ahead of you guys, those are the FACTS.

ill go with ya that nuge their closing is gonna suck, but obviously no matter your gonna think the sox are gonna lose and the yanks will win it all. I mean the yanks are a good team but their nothing incredible. But do you go out of your way to post all these negative articles about boston and its sports team just to get people all crazy? Im not saying for you to like the sox, shit on if you want but atleast respect the team and boston like true baseball fans do, instead of going out of your way to talk shit about everything involving boston....do you have a bad experenice up here one time and thats why u shit on it so much for no reason? i dunno man im just trying to level with yah....hopefully were on the same page.

you know im actually gonna hafta agree with you on that....dont call him paps, EVER.

and listen, yankee fans level with me here i can understand the negativity towards boston obviously the yanks are ur team, but you guys like nuge say stupid meaningless shit just because its boston which is a great city, you dont hafta like the red sox but if your a true fan of the game youll respect them just like i respect the yanks and what they have done for baseball, so grow the fuck up so we can actually have meaningful baseball discussion instead of stupid shit being said.

I have no problem with the Red Sox, and they've had many players that I've truly had NO bad feelings about-the most recent Johnny Damon, and not just because he's now a Yankee. He just always came off as one of those decent, respectable guys. My real problem is with the blowhards that bitched about the arrogance of Yankee fans and then, after one Championship. were every bit as annoying and arrogant. But enough about that-Boston is a great city and produced one of my favorite bands in the Mighty Mighty Bosstones (which almost makes up for those fags in Extreme)...
What REALLY pisses me off is your basketball team. For the LOVE of fuck, can the Celtics and the 76ers not get their shit together so that the Knicks can tank again this season and help us get Isiah out of this city? Jesus Christ, it's not like there's any competition in that division! Help us out already!

I have no problem with the Red Sox, and they've had many players that I've truly had NO bad feelings about-the most recent Johnny Damon, and not just because he's now a Yankee. He just always came off as one of those decent, respectable guys. My real problem is with the blowhards that bitched about the arrogance of Yankee fans and then, after one Championship. were every bit as annoying and arrogant. But enough about that-Boston is a great city and produced one of my favorite bands in the Mighty Mighty Bosstones (which almost makes up for those fags in Extreme)...
What REALLY pisses me off is your basketball team. For the LOVE of fuck, can the Celtics and the 76ers not get their shit together so that the Knicks can tank again this season and help us get Isiah out of this city? Jesus Christ, it's not like there's any competition in that division! Help us out already!

thats funny you mentioned extreme because my sisters fiancee` his cousin is gary sharon from extreme....dude i know what your talking about....i was so happy and excited when they won in 2004 i didnt hafta care what anyone in ny thought about it, they made a great ALCS series

ill go with ya that nuge their closing is gonna suck, but obviously no matter your gonna think the sox are gonna lose and the yanks will win it all. I mean the yanks are a good team but their nothing incredible. But do you go out of your way to post all these negative articles about boston and its sports team just to get people all crazy? Im not saying for you to like the sox, shit on if you want but atleast respect the team and boston like true baseball fans do, instead of going out of your way to talk shit about everything involving boston....do you have a bad experenice up here one time and thats why u shit on it so much for no reason? i dunno man im just trying to level with yah....hopefully were on the same page.

No way in hell do I think the Yanks are going to win it all, hell, we need to get out of the first round. Do I think the Yanks have just as good of a chance as anyone in MLB to win it all, no doubt.

Sure, I hate the sox and their fans worse, but that doesn't mean that I wouldn't be honest. Do I see them being 10 games better then last year? Maybe, enough to challange the Yanks for first, no, I don't., I can see them fighting for a wild card IF they had a proven closer, which they DON'T. Is Paps a proven closer? I don't really think so since he was unable to do it over the course of one season and has shoulder issues.

I hear what you are saying and most Boston fans are die hard fans, but many are pricks on SFN and we go toe to toe with insults and bullshit galore. As you can see, I have many Boston stalkers. Anyone wants to chat facts and opinions, I am in, you want to talk who sucks and mothers, count me in too.

WRONG, get the numbers right, 123 MILLION dollars to finish 3rd in the AL East and 8th overall in the AL...OUCH

so was it worth it, as a yankee fan, to spend 180+ and get knocked out in the first round?...the yanks wasted 60 mil more than the sox did for basically the same outcome...talk about ouch

My real problem is with the blowhards that bitched about the arrogance of Yankee fans and then, after one Championship. were every bit as annoying and arrogant.

and why exactly were sox fans so arrogant? because we had to listen to you retards for all our lives...so suck it up and deal with it, we had to

and why exactly were sox fans so arrogant? because we had to listen to you retards for all our lives...so suck it up and deal with it, we had to

My pont, all along with the arrogance thing is that ANY team's fans will be exactly the same way. And for, basically my whole life, I've heard Mets fans complaining about Yankee fans (because I live in New York-although grew up in Astoria Queens and L.I.), and I've heard Boston fans complaining (because of the age-old rivalry) and all it took was one championship for these Sox fans I'm speaking of to behave EXACTLY the same way.

but maybe us sox fans wouldn't have been this way if yankee fans weren't aholes first....probably not but it's possible

i gew up 3 miles from nyc so i have lots of yankee fan friends....i still have the email i got from one of them after the sox were down 3 games to none in the 04 alcs...there was nothing sweeter than sending that email back to him and everybody else he sent it to after game 7

so was it worth it, as a yankee fan, to spend 180+ and get knocked out in the first round?...the yanks wasted 60 mil more than the sox did for basically the same outcome...talk about ouch

Take your pick man, 125 MILLION to come in 8th in the AL

or

180 million to finish with tne best record in baseball, break your attendance record and get a few MONEY games at home in the first round? Ar least the Yanks had a chance to win it all, the Sox didn't.

Now it is funny how the Sox are the ones OVERspending to try to have a chance at the wild card while the Yanks have beed sitting tight, expecting to win the AL East again this year.

Take your pick man, 125 MILLION to come in 8th in the AL

or

180 million to finish with tne best record in baseball, break your attendance record and get a few MONEY games at home in the first round? Ar least the Yanks had a chance to win it all, the Sox didn't.


Honestly, there is not a huge difference.

The Red Sox expect to contend every year but can still have a successful year without winning the world series while the same cant be said for the Yankees. It is either a ring or a bust. And it has been 7+years, $1 billion plus dollars without a "successful" year for the Yankees.

Honestly, there is not a huge difference.

The Red Sox expect to contend every year but can still have a successful year without winning the world series while the same cant be said for the Yankees. It is either a ring or a bust. And it has been 7+years, $1 billion plus dollars without a "successful" year for the Yankees.

Same can be said about the Mets, who after that World Series beating they took from the Yanks, failed to reload and have been underachieving ever since. Red Sox are OVErRpending this year becuase they had the 8th best record in the AL last year becuase they were cheap, no Red Sox fan would approve that.

Being a Yankee fan, I am happy we have a chance every year, it is almost automatic, that we make the playoffs or are favored to win it all. It does hurt that they have faied to win it all in a long time and it hurts worse each time, but to the Yankees, that is money well spent just to have that chance..

Sox are winning it all again in 07; Dice K is gonna win about 18 games, Schilling 16 and Beckett 17, Paps is good for another 14 or so and Wake/Lester another 12-17 combined, they're gonna be nasty son

Sox are winning it all again in 07; Dice K is gonna win about 18 games, Schilling 16 and Beckett 17, Paps is good for another 14 or so and Wake/Lester another 12-17 combined, they're gonna be nasty son

that looks to me, given the wins you are sure they will have, as the best pitching staff in MLB.

My only question is, WHO THE FUCK IS GOING TO CLOSE?

that looks to me, given the wins you are sure they will have, as the best pitching staff in MLB.

My only question is, WHO THE FUCK IS GOING TO CLOSE?

Yes, it is the best staff in MLB and Brandon Donnelly is going to close

Why not move Lester into the bullpen and give him a full year to recover from the cancer, etc?

If Papelbon is a starting washup, then they can flip 'em.

I don't know if either has the mental toughness of a Mariano Rivera to become a long-term closer, but that's a long time off to speculate on a career.

Same can be said about the Mets, who after that World Series beating they took from the Yanks, failed to reload and have been underachieving ever since. Red Sox are OVErRpending this year becuase they had the 8th best record in the AL last year becuase they were cheap, no Red Sox fan would approve that.

Being a Yankee fan, I am happy we have a chance every year, it is almost automatic, that we make the playoffs or are favored to win it all. It does hurt that they have faied to win it all in a long time and it hurts worse each time, but to the Yankees, that is money well spent just to have that chance..

In part it is the same with the Mets, I cant deny that,

However, there is a HUGE difference. The Mets had practically HALF the salary of the Yankees, especially during those down years following the 2000 WS. So at least we were not overspending crazy amount of money just to not win the Series.

Sox are winning it all again in 07; Dice K is gonna win about 18 games, Schilling 16 and Beckett 17, Paps is good for another 14 or so and Wake/Lester another 12-17 combined, they're gonna be nasty son

Dude, pass to me whatever you are smoking.

Red Sox have the POTENTIAL to be a very good team, and definately compete for a WS.

But to say you are jumping the gun is an understatement.

Win the division first, then you can talk in February.

In part it is the same with the Mets, I cant deny that,

However, there is a HUGE difference. The Mets had practically HALF the salary of the Yankees, especially during those down years following the 2000 WS. So at least we were not overspending crazy amount of money just to not win the Series.

King,

Thats where the Wilpons were wrong, they were in the World Series, that is the one time to OVERspend to not only get back to the Word Series, but to WIN IT.

King,

Thats where the Wilpons were wrong, they were in the World Series, that is the one time to OVERspend to not only get back to the Word Series, but to WIN IT.

But it was not about the $$ it was about Jeff Wilpon.

I can only thank god that they did not allow Wilpon to sign a player to a large, long term deal. We would be paying for that for god knows how many years.

Jeff Wilpon was the SOLE problem of the Mets during those years, I dont think it was really $$ related.