As my fellow writer HoJo’s Mojo reported that Billy Wagner had been claimed off waivers by the Boston RedSox, we have heard from Boston’s closer Jonathon Papelbon.
“What has he done? Has he pitched this year?” Jonathan Papelbon told WEEI.com. “Is he ready to pitch or is he not? … I think our bullpen is good where we’re at right now. Don’t get me wrong. But I guess you could always make it better. It’s kind of like the [Eric] Gagne thing, I guess.”
Equating a potential free-agent acquisition to the fateful trade for Gagne in 2007 isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement from the team’s closer, and Papelbon wasn’t alone.
“We loved Gagne coming over here, just the stuff that he had, but it was an awkward situation this late in the season,” Manny Delcarmen told WEEI.com. “I think our bullpen is fine right now. It is what it is. If [Wagner] comes and helps us win, that’s what we want. But sometimes, shaking things up this late might work out different. We’ll see what happens.”
But of course Wagner wasn’t going to keep quite either about possibly being traded and about Papelbon. Wagner said he “loved Boston” but also said he doesn’t expect to go. He didn’t stop there though…
reacting to Papelbon’s not warm quote about him, Wagner said, “I don’t have anything to say about somebody like that. When he walks in my shoes then I’ll say something. Let him be 38 and have Tommy John surgery “
Wagner could be traded to Boston by Tuesday, has recorded 385 saves and 1,068 strikeouts in his career. He has only pitched once in 2009 — a scoreless inning against the Braves on Thursday night — and missed the last two months of 2008 with an injury. He underwent Tommy John surgery last September and, based on his performance this week, appears to have regained his velocity.
I didn’t realize Papelbon was such an ass. I hope he blows his arm out and is out for the season, and Wagner helps the red Sox beath the Yankees in ALCS and then Philly in the WS.
Papelbum is a bum.
My favorite memory of this season thusfar is, AFTER he blew the save for the Sawx after the Santos homerun, they had that great double play and he came out of the dugout and had a spastic attack and Ron Darling said “Sit down Son”……….as only he could articulate, the best.
That the Only godd memory of this god forsaken season
Since when does the closer become the spokesperson for trades? You don’t make team decision Mr. Dancer. I’m glad Billy spoke back, when you have done what he has done and gone thru TJ surgery and come back then talk about a future team mate in a better light. What an arrogant pantie waist of a person. If what the sox has is so good then why has the stanks kicked their butts lately and they are what, 7 games behind? Sure you don’t need any help to finish 2nd and miss out on WC to Rangers or Rays.
Papelbon is a loose cannon. Nothing more off the baseball field, but very good when he’s between the lines.
Imagine the verbal chaos Papelbon and Wagner could create in the same clubhouse!
CAPSLOCK=DISABILITY CCOMODATION
HOPFULLY BOSOX MNGT REALIZE PAPELBON’S TALKING OUT OF FEAR & INSECURITY SINCE HIS CONTRACT IS UP THIS YR AND HE’LL LOSE A TON OF LEVERAGE WITH AN ALTERNATIVE PROVEN CLOSER ON THE BOOKS FOR JUST A LITTLE MORE THAN HIS 6.9M FOR ’09, WAGS HAS AN 8.5 CLUB OPTION FOR ’10. THAT’S TRULY HOW U SPELL R-E-L-I-E-F AS THE ROLAIDS FOLKS USE TO SAY.
How insecure and disrespectful of a twenty something brat to speak like that of a time proven veteran. No wonder Papelbon sounds like Pablum. (That’s a baby food sold in Canada)
Wow papelbon has zero class.
I actually used to like Papelbon. But who is he to talk about Wagner like that?
For the record, I do hope Wagner touches 400 saves.
I think Papelbon may have kill the deal entirely.
IF WAGS’ CONDITIONS FOR WAIVING HIS NO TRADE HAVEN’T. ONE OF THE PERKS FOR GETTING WAGS WOULD BE HAVING AN ALTERNATIVE CLOSER TO HOLD OVER PAPELBON’S AGENT’S HEAD IN CONTRCACT NEGOTIATIONS. WITH WAGS AS AN OPTION FOR ’10 THEY CAN PRESENT A 1 YR TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT TO THE BRAT.
PERHAPS THE CAN REACH A COMPROMISE WITH WAGS ON OPTION & ARBITRATRION OFFER THAT THEY WON’T EXERCISE EITHER UNLESS HE’LL BE THEIR PLANNED CLOSER FOR ’10. WHO KNOWS? THIS IS MUCH STICKIER THAN IT OUGHT TO BE DUE TO NO-TRADE, WHICH WAS THE TIPPING POINT BRINGING HIM TO NYM IN FIRST PLACE.