
So, while some of the luster has come off his 9th inning schtick, Papelbon is probably worth keeping (at a relatively cheap rate) for another year. If the long-term goal is really to go with Daniel Bard as closer, one more year of apprenticeship can't hurt. Since he will be in a Boras-driven contract year, you can be sure Papelbon will want to put up the best numbers of his career. It's a win-win for all concerned.