Familiarity does not breed contract...
There is barely a peep regarding a long term contract for Jonathan Papelbon. Too bad. He is more than a good player. He is a great player. A pressure performer and stud pitcher, and Papelbon is fun-which counts for something, especially to the paying fans at Fenway where he is lustily cheered and has deservedly become a 9th inning institution for the Red Sox. But familiarity breeds contempt, among some fans and management. The team blithely signs unknown quantity John Lackey to a $70M deal it could have given to known quantity Papelbon. Josh Beckett gets handed an even better deal and is arguably only the third best pitcher on the staff behind Lester and Bucholtz. Other older players such as Big Papi and JD Drew may be coming off the books soon, and that money should go to retain one of the most popular, clutch and great pitchers of recent Red Sox history. Careful Mr. Henry, or he’ll put on the pinstripes and take Mariano’s place! (0)