Preparing For Post Papelbon
Written by Christopher Corazon, Thursday November 17 2011
There has been a mass exodus in Boston. Perhaps it was inevitable after the historic collapse in September. Terry Francona is gone, and so is Theo Epstein. The latest to leave is Jonathan Papelbon, who signed a four year $50 million contract in Philadelphia. It leaves a hole in the Sox bullpen.
Papelbon won the World Series in 2007 and danced the Irish jig. He used to enter the game to the tune of the Dropkick Murphy’s “Steppin’ Up To Boston”. Perhaps now he will enter to Elton John’s “Philadelphia Freedom” or the theme from “Rocky”.
In recent years, Papelbon has been a bit of a heart attack closer. Still, the Sox need to look at replacement options. Daniel Bard has been the set-up man. He was part of the collapse in September, but part of that may have been fatigue. A few outings late in the season, he was effective for one inning, but struggled in the second. Maybe that will improve since Francona is gone.
The Sox also have Bobby Jenks, who used to close with those other Sox in Chicago. There are also many options in the free agent market. Whatever the solution, it is one of the many changes coming to Fenway Park next season.
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