Closer Jonathan Papelbon, speaking this morning on WEEI's Dennis and Callahan morning show, indicated that he has no interest in choosing job security over the possibility of eventually making big dollars in free agency. Papelbon, who agreed in January on a one-year, $6.25-million contract that represented an 800-percent raise over his 2008 salary, said he hopes to stay with the Red Sox for his entire career. But while he would not rule out a long-term deal before he becomes eligible for free agency after the 2011 season, it sounds like it would take something remarkable for Papelbon to turn down the chance to go on the open market.

"Of course I would love to stay with Boston," Papelbon said. "No question I would love to stay with Boston and put the saves record out of reach, and chase Mariano and chase Hoffman and all those guys in a Red Sox uniform. But at the same time, I'm not going to sell myself short, by any means, not one dollar short."

If Papelbon were to suffer a serious injury before he reaches free agency, he says, he would have no regrets about this approach. He says he already has enough money from his baseball earnings to live comfortably -- especially since he lives in a place where, he says, it costs "about 50 cents" for a beer.

"I live in Mississippi, man. You know the difference between Mississippi and Boston?"

Click here to see a video of the interview.