Truth & Rumors > MLB
Francona takes stand on Papelbon
- Views
- 30050
- Comments
- 528
08:16 AM ET 09.23 | Though 98th in ERA among relievers who have thrown at least 40 innings, Jonathan Papelbon has the public support of his manager. Terry Francona readily admits that Papelbon has had a worrisome season. He is walking too many hitters, his secondary pitches are inconsistent, and his fastball command, once among the best in the game, has been spotty at times. But that doesn't mean Francona wants a new closer. "We talk about setting the bar higher. He's not there right now statistically," Francona said before last night's 6-1 victory against Baltimore. "But that doesn't mean he can't really be good."
Jonathan Papelbon , AP
Truth & Rumors
MOST POPULAR
-
1
Howard aired D'Antoni grievances with Lakers
- Views
- 31187
- Comments
- 1796
-
2
'Alarming' report on Werth
- Views
- 18314
- Comments
- 651
-
3
Stunned Cavs open to dealing top pick
- Views
- 1722
- Comments
- 280
-
4
Duquette's luck running out
- Views
- 513
- Comments
- 200
-
5
Babcock's best job ever?
- Views
- 2184
- Comments
- 110
Alyssa Miller
Emily DiDonato
Drivers Who've Started Daytona, Indy 500
2013 Sports Illustrated Covers
TM & © 2013 Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
FanNation.com is part of Sports Illustrated Sites
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines, your California privacy rights, and ad choices
Comments (430) Add A Comment
this season stats wont really help when he goes to the arbitrator for next years contract....
uncle teabags
Total Comments (1259)
You stubborn mule Tito. It's time to move on. Give the closer's role to Bard.
TxHeat
Total Comments (13646)
Stop living in the past Francona... He's done.
S DOT HITS DA SPOT
Total Comments (1554)
A man has one bad year and he's done? Closers have bad years all the time. Brad Lidge usually has several bad years in between good ones. His ERA of around 3.90 is not great this year but look at his lifetime numbers
2.19 ERA, 1.017WHIP, 416K's in 361 innings and 101 walks.
Playoffs
27 innings, 1 ERA, 0.815WHIP, and has given up 14 hits.
Justin Cyder
Total Comments (27500)
No need to put that much pressure on Bard right now (next season). He's only in his first year and letting him mature a bit more could never hurt. I think Papelbon has the tools to bounce back next year in a big way.
Of course, what do I know?
Rex Racer
Total Comments (22485)
He has been to good to just write off for one bad season.
Commodore Fan
Nashville, TN
Total Comments (2847)
He will certainly look for an increase...
... just because he can.
brotha68
Total Comments (53590)
Without taking sides in the Papelbon debate, Phil Hughes had better numbers (bullpen only) last year than Mariano Rivera should Hughes have replaced Rivera?
trooper707
Total Comments (3486)
Everyone is not Mariano Rivera, who's NEVER had a bad year...
... even the years he's not AS dominant, he still dominates.
Papelbon is showing he's not Rivera either, just another in a long line of closers who've had some good moments, but, can be hammered at any time.
brotha68
Total Comments (53590)
I'm sure Mariano's numbers were still good though...
... has Rivera ever had a "bad" season?
brotha68
Total Comments (53590)
No one is Rivera, he is the only one who never has a bad year so comparing Papelbon or anyone else to him is wrong. Papelbon has had 5 great seasons before this one and over that span is probably the best closer other then Mo
Justin Cyder
Total Comments (27500)
I think Paps has had enough good years to warrant resigning him. Not Mo, but who is?
He gets a pay increase, but not Mo money. Sox don't let him walk.
AllStarz Ruinating…
Total Comments (19284)
Mariano's numbers were outstanding last year and no, he has never had a bad season. Hughes did however do great out of the pen last year as the set up guy but setting up is not closing. We've all seen really good set up guys get moved to the 9th inning and not be able to handle it. And Hughes didn't do well out of the pen in the playoffs
Justin Cyder
Total Comments (27500)
anyone who says "can't write him off because of one bad year" clearly has no reason commenting on this article. he's had two well below par years in back-to-back seasons. he only has one pitch and he can only throw that for a strike occasionally. if you've watched him over the past couple years (and i don't mean just on nationally televised games) you'd have no doubt that he is not as good as his numbers suggest. as a Sox fan, i kind of hope he goes to the yanks. i'd love for him to be loading the bases full of Sox in the 9th inning of a 2 run game
Chet Stedmen
Total Comments (41)
Sure, with the Lidge comparison, Papelbon would be scheduled for another great season in 2012.
Piltdown Rabbit
Total Comments (8089)
If you watched Raphael Soriano with the Braves, you saw glimpses, but there were plenty of blown saves on balls hammered 400 feet. I know everyone is thinking that he moved from the NL East to the AL East, and so pitching is easier, but I'm not sure that's all of it.
Piltdown Rabbit
Total Comments (8089)
Go back to watching Oprah, Chet. You obviously don't know what you are talking about.
Paps was 38 for 41 in save opportunities last year with an ERA of 1.85 and a WHIP of 1.19
That my friend is elite closer land.
Rex Racer
Total Comments (22485)
Look at Billy Wagner. Over 400 Saves. Probably the best left handed closer ever. However, he blew lots of saves for the Braves this year and blew plenty for the Phillies and Mets before that. Riviera is the only one I can think of that hasn't blown a lot of saves.
Piltdown Rabbit
Total Comments (8089)
Excuse Chet. The thought of returning of the Red Sox to "also-ran" status has Sox fans in panic mode. Expect lots of calls to clean house and fire Francona between now and next March.
Piltdown Rabbit
Total Comments (8089)
Comment
Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.