Papelbon Says He’s the Next Mariano?

Jonathan Papelbon is having some trouble with the Red Sox. He’s been fighting for a raise in his salary, seeking $900,000. However, Boston feels that a figure in that range is rather excessive. Papelbon made $425,000 last year and the Sox appear as though they’re only willing to up his salary an extra $100,000. In this situation, due to his service time, he really has no control. Papelbon knows this and he’s speaking up about it.

From the Boston Globe:

“Man, it’s a tough situation for me right now because I’m at a point where I feel like the position I’m in, there’s a certain standard that needs to be put in place here,” said Papelbon after his scoreless inning of work in the Red Sox’ 5-3 victory over the Pirates. “I feel like with me being at the top of my position, I feel like that standard needs to be set and I’m the one to set that standard.

“I don’t think the Red Sox really necessarily are seeing eye to eye with me on that subject right now. Hopefully we can get somewhere. We’re chugging away at this thing and we want to get it done, believe me, and we can move on.”

The author of the article, Michael Silverman, also states that any discussions about a long-term deal have essentially broken down between the two parties. Papelbon confirms this notion with the following:

“I don’t want to renew, I don’t want to but if I have to, I have to. That’s just the cold, hard facts of it and if I have to do that to set the tone, that’s what I do. We’ll figure something out.”

One thing is certain. There will be no long-term contract hammered out in Fort Myers.

“I think it’s now gotten to the point where it’s going to be one year at a time. I don’t think we can necessarily meet eye to eye and get anywhere close to start to try to figure something out over a long-term contract right now.”

As Papelbon expressed his dismay about the situation, he made an interesting remark, in which he refers to the great Mariano Rivera:

“I feel a certain obligation to not only myself and my family to make the money I deserve but for the game of baseball - I mean, Mariano Rivera has been doing it for the past 10 years,” said Papelbon. “With me coming up behind him, I feel a certain obligation to do the same. And, yeah, I’m at the mercy of the club right now to a certain extent. But you know, it’s just a matter of ironing out the numbers and we haven’t ironed them out yet. Hopefully we can get a mutual agreement.”

To be perfectly honest, Papelbon has been one of the most dominant closers in baseball over the past two seasons. However, K-Rod and J.J. Putz have been equally amazing. The difference between these 3 guys is that you don’t see Putz or Rodriguez claiming to be the second coming of Rivera. They know better than that. As an effective closer, stay healthy, stay humble and you’ll likely have a good career. But to lump yourself in there with Mariano Rivera, who’s been dominating for a full 10 year period, well, that’s just a dumb move.

When the time comes, he’ll get the money. If he can remain consistent and put up great numbers, year in and year out (like Rivera), the money will come and he’ll have nothing to worry about.