Quote:
Originally Posted by Smelly Meatball
It has to be before 2012 when he becomes a free agent but technically this year was a "contract year" since he can claim arbitration on any deal for 2011 ($9.35 million as starting point). Most likely he's either gone during winter meetings or before trade deadline next season.
The owner also wants to trim payroll by about $10 million to lower the luxury tax the team pays and be at their more comfortable $130 - $140 million range for future signings. It can be done without getting rid of Papelbon since Mike Lowell and a few bullpen players probably are gone and easily save $10 - $20 million overall.
Only issue Bard has still is the tendency to give up a bad home run in critical situations. Unlike Paps, Bard still uses a set of different pitches so no issue of him tossing a fastball 99% of the time.
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I still think the Red Sox might be able to get something good for Paps and Lowell. Lowell will probably be useful on a National League team somewhere and Papelbon is still good. Some team is bound to take him.
It's just a good thing that the Red Sox never traded Bard for someone.