Thus ends Jonathan Papelbon's August

by steel sox on Sep 1, 2011 3:28 AM EDT

On this the last night of August 2011, Jonathan Papelbon finished out a 9-5 Red Sox victory over the Yankees at Fenway Park. He faced the final three batters of the game and retired them in order.

In the month of August, Papelbon had a total of eleven outings, each an inning in length. He faced 35 batters and allowed only two to reach base, each by way of a single (on separate occasions). Of the 33 batters he set down, 12 were by way of strikeout. He walked no batters, he plunked no batters. No runs allowed, no extra-base hits allowed. Just the two singles. His last two outings he even stopped throwing balls. Really, he hasn't thrown a ball his last two outings--16 pitches, all strikes, not even a foul-off on a two-strike offering (four of the six batters struck out, each time on three pitches). For the month Papelbon has thrown 131 pitches for 101 strikes (77%).

I propose a toast. To Jonathan Papelbon's August 2011. May his September and October be every bit as dominant.

Cheers.

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Comments

Perfect timing

For him to be heating up.

by The Name is Dalton on Sep 1, 2011 8:09 AM EDT reply actions

He's been good most of the year...

but yeah

The Red Sox can win the World Series as currently constructed
Twitter: @BoldandBrash

by BoldandBrash on Sep 1, 2011 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Here's to a nice big extension!

Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.

by CasanovaWong on Sep 2, 2011 9:40 AM EDT reply actions

maybe something along the lines of Soriano's contract?

though probably wouldn’t have to offer him the opt outs.

by wolf9309 on Sep 2, 2011 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Think we can get him for just 3 years?

Why do I feel like he’s going to want that money, but a longer deal?

by AlohaSox on Sep 2, 2011 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions

You don't typically see relievers getting more than 3 years.

I don’t know what other big payroll teams would bid against the Sox, so I foresee a 3/36 deal, maybe 3/40 at most

Theo-trade John Lackey for a used condom and a punch in the nose. Remember, it's all about value.

by LesterJohn on Sep 2, 2011 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions

he may want it, but I think there's literally no precedent for relievers signing longer deals than that

by wolf9309 on Sep 3, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

DFA him!

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Sep 2, 2011 1:49 PM EDT reply actions

Am I the only one leery of giving him a multi-year deal?

I don’t want Bard to be the “closer,” but I think Papelbon is one of the few players who can legitimately be a “contract-year player.” He’s just got that kind of personality.

I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.

by TheLoneDavid on Sep 3, 2011 4:23 PM EDT reply actions

I'm leery too.

It was a year ago I thought he should be non-tendered. He’s been great this year, but the year-to-year is just so inconsistent lately that I’d be worried. Plus it’ll cost us out of our ass to do it when we have a very cheap in house option. I think with our kind of leverage, he doesn’t come back anyway. Promote Bard and either hope Jenks can set up or sign a setup guy for $5-8M.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Sep 5, 2011 7:16 AM EDT up reply actions