I’ve solved the Arizona Diamondbacks closer problems. If you think my solution is “resign Chad Qualls,” you are sorely mistaken. No, the answer to the Arizona Diamondbacks closer problem is Johnathon Papelbon.
After the Boston Red Sox got suddenly and swiftly dismissed by the Los Angeles Angles in the 2009 ALDS there is a lot of unrest in Boston (surprise!). Game three was hard to swallow for Red Sox Nation, as their brilliant closer Jonathaon Papelbon was roughed up for three runs in the 9th inning, a blown save and maybe, if you listen to these over-dramatic fans, a blown season. It got so ugly I received a text message from my friend who is an Angles fan that said: “I think we broke Papelbon”
If Boston doesn’t win a World Series someone has to pay and that someone could be Papelbon. There are now rumors that he could be on the trading block. Papelbon is in his final years of arbitration and will likely demand a big contract soon, probably this off-season. The Red Sox have a young, hard-throwing pitcher in Daniel Bard that many feel could be the next Papelbon.
My question to you is, should the D-Backs try and make a play for Papelbon?
Papelbon is filthy. He has a career 1.84 ERA, a live fastball and is one of the best closers in baseball. He is durable, mentally strong and usually very reliable. Papelbon is also the type of closer that can get a team a few two-inning saves over the course of the season, a rarity in today’s game. He would clearly be the best closer the D-Backs ever had and instantly solve their bullpen problems. A great closer has a trickle-down effect on an entire bullpen. He instills confidence and starts a “just get it to the 9th inning,” type of mentality between other relievers. He would inject life into a dead bullpen and bring the team some swagger.
There are some drawbacks. Papelbon, as mentioned earlier, is due a big payday and I highly doubt the D-Backs front office is interested in investing that type of money in a closer. GM Josh Byrnes has a sabermetric mind, and these types of GMs usually don’t value the closer position. Papelbon is also a bit of wild-child and his personality has rubbed people the wrong way in the past. This could be a byproduct over an over-active Boston media, but it is still a concern non-the-less.
Who would the D-Backs trade to get him? I would be more than happy to send Stephen Drew the Red Sox way, but there is no way in hell they would want two Drews on their team.
Should the D-Backs make a play for Papelbon? Or are they better off investing their resources in other areas?
