What About Pap in 2010?

Jonathan Papelbon blew his last playoff game in 2009. After the game he owned up to his shortcomings & said he is moving on.

Let me tell you from experience - you move on, but you never forget. I still remember a bunt that I threw into center field from the mound which lost a state championship for my high school team. That was many, many years ago.

Pap had a "dirty" season in 2009 where many of his saves were made after he gave up baserunners via hits &/or walks. There were not many 1-2-3 clean innings. Unfortunately, he saved his worst outing of the season for Game 3 against the Angels. Like Tim Wakefield in 2003 at Yankee Stadium, it's hard to put the season ender in the rear view mirror. It does stick with you for awhile.

Will Pap be back next year? Probably a sure bet. The only issue will be his arbitration number as Pap elects to go year-to-year with his contract. If his arbitration number exceeds $10 million, the Sox management may start to consider a lower priced solution in Daniel Bard.

I'm betting on Pap to be back. Bard still needs a year or two more under his belt before trying to be the everyday closer. Cinco Ocho will be motivated to erase the 2009 playoff disaster & throw more clean innings in 2010.