Papelbon to Pen creates questions...

OK. Lets hope your Sox have something up their sleeve. At first glance, you get one of the top closers in the game and really shore up the pen. However, you create another important need and raise all sorts of questions…

#1) Who fills that gaping hole in the rotation? Papelbon was a potential 1a or 2 guy. Now you replace that level with a #5 starter like Snyder or Piniero? You just weakened arguably the best rotation in the majors. How dominating would Papelbon have been against the rest of the league’s #4 guys? Ouch.

#2) What happened to the medical diagnosis of better health if he’s moved to the rotation? Did something magically happen? Isn’t he at a higher risk of breaking down and not having a long career? Isn’t this irresponsible based on what they told us last year??? If he goes to this role, he doesn’t come out of it in 2007 or maybe ever. At least now you have Hansen and Bryce Cox as attractive bargaining chips.

How will they address the hole in the rotation? The candidates:
Kyle Snyder: Based on his spring you could make a case for it, but during last season he was only solid thru 4 innings and then fell apart.
Julian Tavares: More intriguing especially since he pitched well in that role down the stretch last year. But remember that he only went 5 or 6 innings.
Joel Piniero: Had the worst numbers in the AL last season but has looked OK this spring with an increase in velocity.
Kason Gabbard: Outstanding spring only giving up 5 hits in 10 IP. His promotion would require releasing someone from the pen.
Jon Lieber / Mark Hendrickson / other: Will cost you a Wily Mo and a few young arms. Who trades decent starting pitching in March/April? You can forget a 1a or #2.
Roger Clemens: Doesn’t seem as improbable now - does it?

The Sox may just use what they have internally and weather the storm until Lester is ready. The downside is that may be into June or even July. Even though he’s been pitching already, they won’t rush this kid back.

Are they better?
No. They fixed one need and created another. Unless they trade for a top line starter using Hansen and/or Bryce Cox, they are weaker. The best rotation in the majors is now just good. Lets hope the bullpen just became one of the best in the league.

Why? Why? Why?
Obviously none of the closer candidates separated themselves from the pack this spring and the price of acquiring a closer has been sky high. The questionable piece is that Papelbon will have a restricted workload in order to protect the shoulder. That would make you think this is a 2007 solution only - until Hansen or Cox are groomed. Schill may be gone next season and they'll need him back in the rotation. This doesn't make them better. Maybe they are buying time until the break. Hopefully it pays off and this skepticism will wear off...