General manager Theo Epstein used blunt force on the glaring problem, signing former White Sox closer and two-time All-Star Bobby Jenks to pitch behind Papelbon. It cost the Red Sox $12 million over two years to get Jenks to change jobs.
Having Jenks pitch the seventh or eighth inning is the baseball version of hiring a chef away from Abe & Louie’s to grill a hamburger. It’s overkill, but the results should be tasty.
In Papelbon, Jenks, and incumbent set-up man Daniel Bard, the Sox now have three of the best relievers in baseball sharing a bullpen bench. According to the PitchFx data available at Fangraphs.com, Bard averaged 97.8 miles per hour with his fastball last season, Jenks 94.9, and Papelbon 94.7.
“How many closers do they have there?’’ said Tampa Bay outfielder Johnny Damon. “You have Bard, you have Jenks, and you have Papelbon. That’s pretty solid. They can shorten a game pretty quickly.’’
Now that Epstein has done his job, it’s up to Francona to make it work. The first step was to reassure Papelbon that while the roster has three closer types, he had the actual job.
The wedding provided a perfect opportunity.
“Tito didn’t have to say that,’’ said Papelbon. “But I’m glad he did. He has always been good about letting everybody know where they stand. That helps.’’
Papelbon was part of the problem in 2010, blowing eight saves and posting the highest ERA of his career at 3.90. He also had career highs in home runs allowed (7), walks (28), and wild pitches (4).
Before they offered Papelbon salary arbitration Dec. 2, the Red Sox made a serious offer to free agent Mariano Rivera, so serious that the Yankees were forced to double their initial proposal to satisfy their legendary closer.
Had Rivera accepted, the Sox were prepared to release Papelbon. Instead, they signed Jenks to lessen his burden.
Papelbon’s response has been better than could have been anticipated. He arrived at training camp a week before pitchers and catchers were due and voiced only support for the addition of Jenks.
Papelbon will be a free agent after this season, a status he has long looked forward to, having turned down several opportunities to sign a long-term deal with the Red Sox.
