Projo Sox Blog

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON _ When Jonathan Papelbon speaks, you never know what's going to come out of his mouth.

The Red Sox closer talked to a small group of beat writers in the clubhouse Friday afternoon at Fenway Park and wanted to make one thing quite clear.

"I don't want to go [expletive] go play for the Yankees," he said. "I got a [World Series] ring here. I'm playing for the best team in baseball. I've been on a team for the last three years that has been in first place more than any other team in baseball, so why would I want to go anywhere else?"

His comments came a day after he appeared on Sirius XM Radio and told the hosts that he would play for the Yankees, or any other team when his career in Boston is over.

Papelbon's point was more aimed towards the business aspect of the game where nowadays it's very unlikely a player will remain with one team for an extended period of time. He avoided arbitration during the offseason and signed a one-year deal worth $6.25. He's also under the club's lock and key for the next three seasons.

"Do I want to be with the Red Sox as long as I can? Of course - there's no question about it," he said. "I said I would go to any team that I felt was good for my situation, whether it's the Yankees or whoever. That's three years away. The other thing is I'm in a situation here where I'm playing for the best general manager and manager in the game of baseball. And, I've gotten a World Series ring here. Do I want to go play anywhere else? Hell no."

During his seven-minute rambling, Papelbon pressed the fact that he is happy in Boston and does not want to go anywhere else. Plus, his comments drew no negative attention from Red Sox management or his teammates.

"I don't want to play anywhere unless I'm happy. I'm happy playing here and this is where I want to play," he said. "I also understand there's a business side of things and sometimes that doesn't work out. Sometimes you can't play in a city for 10 or 15 years."

Ironically, Papelbon made that statement with Tim Wakefield to his left and John Smoltz about 10 feet in front of him. Wakefield has played 15 years in Boston, while Smoltz spent 20 years in Atlanta.

"I may not be as lucky as Wake to be able to be in that situation," said Papelbon. "It pissed me off today because it made it seem like I wanted to go play for them, which is nowhere even close. Nowhere even in the ballpark of what I want to do."

Papelbon's made it clear that he wants what's best for his family and his career - no matter where that is. But, he made it clear Boston is where he wants to be.

"My family's happy and I'm happy," he said. "Why would I want to play anywhere else?"

Unlike some of his fellow homegrown Red Sox talent - Kevin Youkilis, Jon Lester and Dustin Pedroia - who signed long-term deals to stay in Boston during the offseason, Papelbon said he's not worried about it.

"I could have eight one-year deals," he said. "As long as I'm happy, why would I want to go anywhere? I'm protected here, my family's happy here and I'm playing for a city and fans who are passionate about the game. So for me to go somewhere else would be completely detrimental to me. I don't want to go play somewhere else.

"It's not about the money. It's not about going and playing for more, because if it was I wouldn't be closing right now, I would be starting. I know I said what I said and I'm not going to deny that, but I think at times fans may see that and think I don't want to play here. That's no where even close."

Papelbon continued to make his case, saying his statements during the radio interview could have been taken the wrong way.

"I can't say I'm going to be here forever, because that may not happen. Do I want to be here forever? Of course. There's no question about it. I said I would go play for any team, but for me to go play for any other team I would have to be protected, my family has to be happy and I need to be happy. Right now, that's here. It's here in this clubhouse and here at Fenway Park. Why the [expletive] would I want to play anywhere else?"

While Papelbon cleared the air, he was also right in another aspect of the game, saying the Red Sox don't owe him anything.

"This team does not need me," he said. "I need the Boston Red Sox more than the Boston Red Sox need me - believe me when I say it. This is a place where I'm happy. I need a place where I'm happy. If they want to lock me up for a long-term deal makes no difference to me."

Rookie reliever Daniel Bard has emerged as the possible closer of the future for the Red Sox. The hard-throwing right-hander has thrived in that role in the organization's development system, and he's proven he can handle the big-league level, too.

 Tags  Jonathan Papelbon Red Sox Yankees

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