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Originally Posted by Dragon
Is Papelbon staying their closer when Hansen comes up? Obviously he is pretty unhittable right now and doing great as their closer but I thought I heard Hansen was more suitable as the closer with Papelbon being able to contribute to the starting rotation more.
Seems pretty tough to take Papelbon out of the closer role if he is this dominant or anything close to it this year but I thought I've read many people thinking he'll be in the rotation next year. BTW, not sure how far developed Hansen is, how far away is he projected from being called up?
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Well, as far as I know, if Papelbon continues to keep doing what he has been doing in the closers role they really aren't planning on taking him out of it. Francona said it is something "special" so you can't really pull the plug on that. Hansen was more suitable for the role when taking about potential, but Papelbon is doing it right now in the majors and Hansen was expected to do it.
Hanson has been getting "stretched" more and more this season in the minors, last I heard he pitched 4 innings in one game. I am pretty sure they are planning on getting him comfortable and putting into a starting pitching role. I really can't see him starting a game for the Red Sox until next season, but there is a good chance he could get called up to be a reliever at some point this season. He was already called up last season, so I would think the possiblity of it happening again is even greater.
Red Sox best pitching prospect right now is probably Jon Lester, he was actaully rated ahead of Papelbon last season. He is a left handed starting pitcher who could be called up at some point this season, they are really grooming him down in the minors right now though. He is suppose to be the next big thing, but we'll see if he pans out. Red Sox also have Abe Alvarez who was used as a starter last season and has been called up this season as well as a reliever. Plus the guy they had start tonight was only 22 years old, so the future could be pretty interesting pitching wise. Red Sox surprising still have a lot of good prospects left after trading away a lot in a couple deals over the summer.