Jonathan Papelbon to sign with Phillies

[Jeff]

wow

http://twitter.com/#!/GethinCoolbaugh/status/135075424228212737

[Redz]

Boy, that one sure slipped under the sports radar.

Tough blow for the Sox. 

[Rondo2287]

Good for Pap and I wish him the best.  

He did it the right way. Went on his year to year contracts, never complained, and made it to free agency to make his big money.  And gave us some great years along the way.

[Chris]

Good for him.  I think this was probably innevitable, but the Sox have their work cut out for them. 

One things for sure, they have kept their dealings quiet so far this offseason.

[Rondo2287]

I think the reason I hold no ill will towards him on this is that his whole career he has said he wants to be the highest paid closer ever.  i mean sure we can say he has enough money already and what not, but at least he is upfront about it.

[Chris]

They are saying 4 years $50 million.  Good for him, and good for the Sox to not be stuck with that contract.

Paps has been great, but other than Rivera, closers don't last that long, and I think his shelf-life is nearing the end.

Good luck to Cherington on replacing him though.

[Jon]

Could be a win/win.  I think the Phillies will eventually regret this move down the road; however, if they can win a title or two in the short term because of Papelbon, it's worth it. 

I see him starting out strong because he'll be facing lineups that don't know him and he will face weaker lineups in the NL.  However, I do see him potentially fading as the contract goes. 

Sox avoid sacrificing all that money and get the Phillies pick(s). 

[Finkelskyhook]

They must think Bard is ready.

I'm with Chris on this.  Too much risk for a long-term contract.

[Overrated]

See ya later, Papelblown. I'd love to see him pull an Eric Gagne on the Phils.

[MBz]

I think this is going to be a bad hit for us.  We had three reliable guys in the pen last season, Papelbon, Aceves and Bard.  Papelbon is gone obviously, and either Aceves or Bard will be a starter next season.  Our bullpen is going to be in major trouble.  They better have some plan and it better not be giving guys like Cordero or Bell three years.  If you're going to give them three years at 11ish a year, there's no reason why they couldn't just pony up for Papelbon.

[PosImpos]

Meh, we'll miss him in the next year or two, but that's a really bad deal for the Phillies.  I'm glad Cherington is showing restraint.

[pearljammer10]

Phillies are really putting themselves in a bad position. Aging high priced line up with an aging super high priced pitching staff. Tough moves for the Phils...Good news for us Met fans.

[slamdunk]

John Lackey, 31 years old, got 5 years and $80 million

vs

Jonathan Papelbon, 31 years old, gets 5 years and $60+ million

[guava_wrench]

Phillies are really putting themselves in a bad position. Aging high priced line up with an aging super high priced pitching staff. Tough moves for the Phils...Good news for us Met fans.

Until we have a competitive team, the Phillies have plenty of room for error.