Via MLBTR:
In an appearance on Sirius XM Radio, Jonathan Papelbon told Jody McDonald and Bert Blyleven that he would consider playing for the Yankees once his Boston career is over:
“Oh, of course. I mean, I think if we can’t come to an agreement on terms here in a Red Sox uniform, I mean I think that’s pretty much the writing on the wall.”
Papelbon says he’d consider joining other teams, too:
“Not only the Bronx, but anywhere. I think anywhere is a possibility. You always have to keep that in the back of your mind because you can’t just be one-sided and think that, “Oh, I’m going to be in a Red Sox uniform my entire career” because nowadays that is very, very rare and hopefully we can because there’s no question I would love to stay in a Boston Red Sox uniform but I have to do what’s best for me and play in an atmosphere where I’m wanted.”
Papelbon is under Boston control until after the 2011 season, when he becomes a free agent. While this does seem to be a negotiating ploy in Papelbon’s never ending contract push, he does raise an intriguing point. Being that the Yankees are likely to have an opening at closer at that point, I would not be shocked if Papelbon were right about the writing being on the wall. He is an excellent closer who has survived the postseason and the rigors of the AL East, and certainly has the psyche to thrive in NY. I hate the guy, but he would be a good fit, and would cheer for him if he ever pulled on the pinstripes.
What about you? Would you ever consider Papelbon as the successor to Mariano?
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10 Responses to Papelbon: I Would Play For Yanks
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TIQ IQ
Yup!
This is a team game, if he can help us win without costing an arm and a leg, why not. My problem with bringing someone in is; how much is the cost and how long the contract?
By the time he is a FA, we should know if we have anyone in house that has the ability to replicate Papelbon…in saves, not speed.
Yes.
Hopefully we just don’t overpay (in years and salary) for him. He would be a great fit for the closer role after Mo retires.
Rooting for Papelpuss on Yankees would be difficult but not impossible.
I’ll take a pass on Papelbon. It seems to me that he just sucks as a person.
Plenty of Yankees suck as people (Hi Sheff). I just don’t think the organization would want to deal with his antics. Papelbon has always been a spotlight me first guy which doesn’t really fit in the Bronx (hello there, Sheff). Besides can you picture the Yanks winning it all and then seeing Papelbon do his irish jig in pinstriped underwear….disgusting.
In fairness to Sheff, he played hard while he was a Yankee. He played through a few injuries (shoulder & wrist) and carried the team to the playoffs in 2004 (or was it 2005) and was nearly the AL MVP.
He’s done a lot of crummy things on a baseball field (and off it) but the guy performed while wearing the Yankee uniform.
I want the best guy availiable when Mo hangs up his cleates. Would prefer Nathan from a personality stand point.
The good thing here is you finally have a player from that team that expects to get paid what they are worth. Perhaps he sees that Papi got paid 12 mil for four years (when he could have got a lot more) and V-Dick just got hosed for 4 mil, etc… and doesn’t feel like being taken advantage of while their asshole owner rakes in the cash.
Makes it easier to compete if signing their own actually costs fair value. Or we can sign good players like we did with JD.
Papelbon is on my list of 3 players i hate most in baseball… This is not even taking into account team he plays for I just think he is an ASS. If he ever was signed by yanks I would root for him to do well to help the team but i would never root for him to do well on an indivdual note other then helping the team
i might as well start rooting for boston now….NO WAY
agreed 100%. Beckett takes the cake, and Youkoulis coming in 3rd just because of his ultimately “queah” stance as they would say in Boston