After letting their best closer ever walk, the Red Sox now have to find a replacement fast—after the market has been set by Papelbon. Real bright! So, the realistic choices (assuming they don't yet trust Bard) are Heath Bell, Ryan Madson and Joe Nathan. Bell is probably the most likely to generate the same wacky persona as Pap, but Madson could be the smarter pick. One upside to this approach is they can quickly stretch out Bard and make him a (needed) starter for 2012 and beyond.
Friday, November 11, 2011
After Papelbon, Now What?
After letting their best closer ever walk, the Red Sox now have to find a replacement fast—after the market has been set by Papelbon. Real bright! So, the realistic choices (assuming they don't yet trust Bard) are Heath Bell, Ryan Madson and Joe Nathan. Bell is probably the most likely to generate the same wacky persona as Pap, but Madson could be the smarter pick. One upside to this approach is they can quickly stretch out Bard and make him a (needed) starter for 2012 and beyond.