First of all, there is no guarantee like everyone seems to think that being a dominant closer translates to ace. In fact, a guy like Paplebon probably thrives with the energy of closing. Second, ask the Yankees if having a closer helps. Rivera was the most important player for them in their run. Third, whose to say that the shoulder doesn't pop out when he is fatigued in the 8th inning of a game? Point blank, without a player transaction/trade the Boston Red Sox have become World Series favorites. Man, that was easy.

Not that simple Thunder, though you do have a point. But if you wear a hat, we can't see it!

You're right...there's no guarantee that dominant closer translates to ace starter. Regardless of the fact that I think starters are much more valuable (as I will show you in a second), I would have left Papi as a closer IF health weren't a concern. Notice, that's a big if, however. Unless of course, they made all that stuff up in the first place...jury's still out on that.

However, while Rivera was dominant, no one ever suggested he could be an ace starter. Never was in the minors. Papelbon was always regarded as a potential ace starter.

#2, and most importantly, despite Rivera's continued dominance, the Yankees haven't won jack since 2000. Why? Because their starting pitching got old and stopped being the dominant staff in baseball. They never got to Rivera against the Tigers last year because their starters sucked and couldn't get them a lead in the late innings.
As long as they had the best starting pitching in baseball, they dominated, despite role players like Brossius and Joe Girardi in the lineup. Now, despite fielding an all-star/MVP at every spot (including closer), they can't get out of the wild-card round.

All I know is, a rotation of Schilling, Dice-K, Beckett, Wakefield and Tavarez isn't as big of an advantage over the Yankees as one that substitutes Papelbon over Tavarez. (And remember, they don't have enough faith in Schilling to guarantee him another year as is) I have yet to hear one person with the Red Sox say that Papelbon didn't have the ability to be a great starter. Everything he's shown in spring training and in the past points to his being at worst a top end #2 guy, if not ace.

However, I am glad to see that we're back to disagreeing. This lovefest over the winter was boring!!!!!

I guess they feel they are better with Papelbon closing rather than Joel Pineiro, Manny Delcarmen, Craig Hansen, Mike Timlin, or anyone who was available on the trade market than they could acquire than they worry about having to start Tavarez, Lester, or Snyder. Not too hard to figure out, really...

Honestly the 5th starter will not make or break your team but the closer sure can. I think he'd have been a good starter just as I think he'll do a bang up job as closer again. As long as the Docs gave their okay on this I am good with it.

I agree that I wouldn't have turned him into a starter this spring if ultimately they thought this kind of thing was a possibility- on that I'll agree with you. On the rest I disagree.

Ted
After hearing a phone interview with Paps an hour ago I can tell you this. He says that he approached Tito and they approached Theo together. Paps also says that closing was "ALL I was thinking about all spring training" and "When i was starting all I thought about was closing and he wants to be the closer for the next 10 years."

Now. Papelbon will NOT come in in the 8th inning and will be given more time off. He said " If I need a day off I'll get a day off" he also said "I closed in college and I want that to be my career in the majors"....

Well, well, well! You all come out of the woodwork now. Here we bust our humps all year to bring you the latest info and our opinions, yet we get nothing in return. One time I criticize the Red Sox, and all of a sudden you get talkative! It's about freakin time!!!!

I heard what Little Papi had to say and I commend him for his desire and willingness to take the ball in the 9th. He'll be great in that role, as long as he's healthy. Of course, he probably won't be as valuable as he was last year with all those "limitations" in place, but that remains to be seen.

Again though, what's with the "medical" opinions? So the doctors didn't want him pitching in relief, yet changed their minds with something as simple as a strengthening and maintenance program? Come on folks...if it was that simple, why not just say we'll see how the shoulder responds in spring training and then make our decision? Why rule out closing (remember, the Docs have been making statements all through spring training, too, not just over the winter), only to reverse course so suddenly when you lost faith in the other options?

Am I the only one who senses a move made out of panic more than sound judgement? Or at the very least, were we not being fed a steady diet of B.S. all this time?

If Major Sports Teams aren't lying to the Media, They aren't doing their jobs. It's obvious the "Medical" problems were a bit elevated to justify the move. I'm over it. This is a great move , regardless of who lied to who. WHO CARES.

One more thing on the value of closers vs. starters (can you tell I'm in full argumentative mode now?):

Last off-season, BJ Ryan signed a 5-year, $47-million dollar contract. Billy Wagner topped that average with a 4-year, $43-million deal. Mariano Rivera is playing under a 2-year, $21-million dollar extension.

If closers are so valuable, why are Gil Meche, Jason Marquis and Ted Lilly (to name a few) paid more than them? Seems baseball execs pass judgement on what's more important with their wallets every single day, so I'm not sure why this is even a point of disagreement amongst fans.

Tell me you don't think Papelbon can cut it as a starter, and I'll understand the reasoning behind the move even with the medical questions. I've yet to hear one person associated with the Red Sox or other teams say that, however.

OK- to add fuel to the fire...

If Paps is having trouble sleeping and what-not how effective a starter will he be??

Is he not being a "team guy" by taking a job that historically pays less but that he enjoys more?

Would he have left as a free agent to pursue closing if the Red Sox hadn't allowed him to return to the role? Sounds like he wants to be here 10 years if he is the closer.

I think your questions are valid about the medical issues but aren't happy players who know their roles going to make for a better clubhouse and ultimately a better, closer (no pun intended) team??

If the Sun offered you a job covering city council meetings and wanted to pay you more than you make now would you take a job that's not as close to your heart as this (unless you plan to be the next Keith Olbermann or something and poliical stuff IS your cup of tea)??

Everyone always gets on these guys for going after every dollar they can make. Sounds more like JP is taking one for the team here and helping to shore up a questionable area. Sure it weakens another area but I think it helps more than hurts. They just need to make sure that any series against the Yankees features starters 1-4 and it's a moot point :-)

Not gettting after Papelbon at all. The kid is great, and he's obviously a warrior. Perfect mentality to be a stud closer...and ace starter, too.

Would he have had sleepless nights if he didn't spend the entire off-season and spring training hearing "whispers" that he could always return to the closer's role if things didn't work out? Would he have slept better if he was told in no uncertain terms that he'd be risking his career by closing? Being such a team guy, would he not agreed to help the team by being a starter if they had just gone out and acquired a proven closer in the first place? If they had just said so-and-so is our closer, period, would Papelbon have just gone about his business as a starter?

Now isn't the time to worry about this kid leaving as a free agent. It's time to figure out where he can help your team the most and if he can stay healthy for an entire year in either role. Then you make the best decision for the team, regardless of what the player wants. You can't let players pick and choose their positions.
Otherwise, John Valentin would have stayed at SS and Nomar would have to learn a new position, when he was clearly the best man for the job.

How's that working out for the Yankees, making a superior defensive SS (A-Rod) switch to 3rd base becasue they didn't have the sack to ask Jeter to do what's best for the team?

Either way, I hope the kid stays healthy and productive as a closer. But if he gets hurt again, my meaningless opinions will be nothing compared to the storm that's going to hit Red Sox Nation.

I think putting Papelbon back as the closer is a good idea and a Smart move IF and ONLY IF the doctors now clear him to be the closer. If he begins to break down, especially if its his shoulder they should have him checked immediately and if possible have him do side sessions. IF he does break down obviously the management will NOT look GOOD! To quote the movie "He Said She Said" "As my uncle Olaf used to say if it aint broken dont fix it" so they should gladly go back with what worked last year.

Shappy

Not to be overly negative here, but we don't really know if this "worked last year" do we? I mean, Papelbon did break down in September, the month when a playoff contender needs its closer the most, so he didn't exactly last the year like Rivera and the other top-notch closers (Nathan, K-Rod) have. How do we know it won't happen again? They're putting restrictions on him, so obviously, they're concerned as well.