I don't care for the way Papelbon acts on the field or off the field. After six years of MLB service, good players have all the leverage, and get incredible paydays as either free agents from other teams or their current teams have to open up the wallets. The tradeoff is that they're cost controlled by their teams in the early years. It's a give and take - they get you early on the cheap, and, if you're good, you get the money in your peak years and, often, you get overpaid in your decline. Papelbon (and Pedroia) were already talking "not taking a home town discount" and "setting the market" for their positions when free agency comes. It's arrogant, and, very presumtive. If you heard a Yankee bitching about money and talking about all the money he's going to make in FA in FOUR YEARS you'd think he's a jackass too.
I also hate the fact that every time he blows a save, there's some cosmic reason as to why it happened, like there's no way HE could just possibly get beat. I've seen quotes like "I just wasn't into it" and "didn't have enough time to warm up". In contrast, when Rivera gets beat he just says he didn't do his job and he'll get them next time.
The guy's been in the league two years and his shoulder fell out in one of them, yet he compares himself to the greatest player there ever was at their position. I've seen many quotes from ballplayers themeselves (Joe Nathan comes to mind) saying that he could use a little humility.
It has nothing to do with his pitching ability. I'll check the numbers later for his first three years vs. Rivera's but I do remember in 1996 Rivera went 17 innings without giving up a HIT. His IP also dwarfs Papelbon's, but that's just my memory speaking. I have a feeling doing the research will be splitting hairs - meaning there's probably legitimate arguments for both sides.
I asked about the article because if I was wrong and he was set up to look bad, I want to admit my mistake.
Your beef comes with the current state of the MLB, and the players union. Guys want to get paid for there services, and Dustin and Pap have a legit argument as to why they should get their $. They have both played MAJOR roles in the 2 ws wins the sox have in the last 3 years. Also, your argument is opinion. I have personally seen Pap and Dustin do EVERYTHING that has been asked from them. Regardless of what they want for money, they are still going out and giving 110% on the field. Thats all the matters, and I would never fault a player for wanting to get paid, and to sign long term with a team they love... They have proven their worth IMO. I would only fault them if they threw hissy fits, refused to play, or threw games. Sort of like what Manny is starting to do. I say trade his ass. How many Yankees have come right from the farm recently, and played Major roles over the span of two years, to help the Yankees win titles? Pap and Dustin are both all star players, they want to get paid like it. Why not lock them up long term? They both want to skip the FA game, and stay in Boston. Why worry about it? If Boston fans don't think it's a huge issue, why does NY? IMHO, thats a media that is mining for reason to take shots, because their team isn't winning titles anymore.
Also, so what if Pap makes comments? I have heard the kid take responsibility for his pitching many times. You get what the New York media gives to you, and they are the same media that called him Paplebum in a headline? A bum? Right, bums are a team full of hugely overpaid players, who have a huge advantage over the rest of the MLB and they cant win - aka, the modern day Yankees. At least the sox are winning. If pap was ever a free agent, the Yankees would sign him in a second. The kids brash crass and he does his job when it counts. Daring to compare himself to the greatest closer ever? Thats nothing more than self righteous Yankees fans huffing and puffing at a kid who is confident, and has backed it up on the big stage.
I would bet you, if you followed the sox game by game, and listened to paps post game comments, you would feel a bit differently.
Btw, Paps shoulder didn't fall out......Tito was using him to much, and they gave him a rest. His shoulder is fine.