You can't hear a TV or radio show without every talking head voicing a negative opinion on the departure of Jonathan Papelbon. This is the same guy in Spring Training that these same commentors wanted to removed from the closer's role due to a sub-par 2010 season.
Let me add my 2 cents - for what it worth.
The Sox have been burned & burned badly, thus far, by big contracts for multiple years to John Lackey & Carl Crawford. There are several other players (Beckett & Adrian, for example) who also have multiple years left on their big contracts.
Due to current salary obligations I do not see the Sox signing or re-signing players who want $10 million or more a year. We will be forced to live with what big contracts are in place for now for the next few years. Mid-range players like Mark Buehrle or Michael Cuddyer are certainly still signable & I hope they do make offers on both.
If I am the Sox management, I'm looking for a better year out of Carl Crawford - obviously. I'm looking for Dice-K to prove something when he comes back (even if it's for his next contract with another team) in the 2nd half. I'm looking for Youk to get back to his MVP caliber of play. I'm looking for Beckett, Buchholz & Lester to return to being Beckett, Buchholz & Lester. I'm looking for Adrian, Petey & Ells to repeat 2010 or close to it. There is a lot of talent on this team.
It was no secret that Pap wanted multiple years & top dollar. He got that from the Phillies. The Sox can go back to a Nathan or a Bell for a few years at a time to fill the closer's role at a much more reasonable price. This team can live without Pap. This team can succeed without Pap.
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