« Red Sox-Phillies press notes
Main
Reassuring words from Schill »
March 22, 2007
BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- After spending the first five weeks of spring training insisting they had no plans to move Jonathan Papelbon back to the bullpen, the Red Sox today did just that.
The Sox announced after today's 4-4 tie with the Phillies here that Papelbon -- one of the best relievers in baseball in 2006 -- was being reinstated as the team's closer. His spot in the starting rotation will be taken by Julian Tavarez, who pitched three innings in Sunday's 2-1 victory over the Orioles and four innings in a minor-league game today.
In retrospect, Tavarez' increased workload should have served as a tipoff to the team's plans. As a middle to late reliever, Tavarez would have no call to pitch as much as he has in recent days unless he was being stretched out for greater in-game responsibilities.
Papelbon, conversely, was the Sox' second pitcher today after having been the starter in his last several appearances. He had started the exhibition season pitching on the same day as Tim Wakefield, but they were separated a week or so into the schedule, ostensibly because they would be pitching on different days during the season. The fact that were back together today, and that Papelbon was not starting, was another red flag.
Papelbon worked three innings and allowed two hits and a run, with one walk and three strikeouts.
On the one hand, the move solves a huge problem for the Red Sox. Unable to sign or trade for an established closer during the offseason, they had planned to give the job to 41-year-old Mike Timlin. When Timlin was suffered a strained oblique muscle early in camp, an injury that will force him to start the season on the disabled list, they had to turn to Plan B.
Although they made no public pronouncements, it was believed Tavarez would be the choice, the reasoning being he had the best mental makeup for the role. The Sox didn't want to place the immense pressure of closing in a market like Boston on Joel Piniero, who is new to the position, and none of the other relievers -- Brendan Donnelly, J.C. Romero, Manny Delcarmen, Craig Hansen, Hideki Okajima -- had the experience or the skills for the job.
Papelbon, of course, was absolutely dominant in the role last year. He was 4-2 with 35 saves and an 0.92 ERA in 59 games, made the American League All-Star team and finished second in Rookie of the Year voting.
On the other hand, however, the stress of relieving led to a shoulder injury that sidelined Papelbon for the final month of the season and the team's medical staff recommended he return to starting to avoid further problems. The Sox, however, say they will carefully monitor his health and not do anything to invite further problems.
The Sox were strong, but never unequivocal, in their insistence that Papelbon would not relieve this season. Still, they repeated over and over that Papelbon would be a starter and once became very angry with media members who continued to speculate that the Sox would, in the end, return him to the closer's role.
Which is exactly what they wound up doing.
Posted by Pam Cotter 
at 2:02 PM | Permalink
