In news that will surprise no one who paid attention to the off-season moves of the Red Sox, Jonathan Papelbon has, according to Jonny Miller at WBZ in Boston, arrived in Fort Myers 11 days before pitchers and catchers are expected to report.
The Red Sox have made it clear that Papelbon is their closer, but they have Daniel Bard waiting in the wings and gave Bobby Jenks a two-year, $12 million contract in December…two pitchers who would be the closer on most any other team will be ready and certainly willing to take on the closer position if Papelbon falters in 2011.
In 2009, the All-Star pitcher had 38 saves, only having blown three saves by season’s end. Â 2010 wasn’t as kind to Papelbon. Â While he marked his fifth season with at least 35 saves, in 2010 Papelbon blew eight opportunities to save a game (some point to the Red Sox missing out on the playoffs because they were seven games out of first place. Â I’m not big on placing blame on one player, but I’m sure the numbers are still dancing around in more than a few minds in the Red Sox organization).
Papelbon wasn’t the bullpen’s only liability in 2010, but given his role he was the most glaring. Â When the off-season came around, General Manager Theo Epstein made sure, after beefing up the roster with the likes of Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, that the bullpen was shored up as well. Â This included making Yankees closer Mariano Rivera an offer and then bringing on Jenks, the former closer for the White Sox. Â Many sports pundits questioned if Epstein had trade plans for Papelbon or if with Bard already showing promise as a closer, he was planning on Papelbon indulging in his free agency at the end of 2011.
Papelbon showing up early for Spring Training seems like an indication that he might have received the message, even if Theo Epstein says there is no message to get.  He doesn’t want people remembering him for his eight blown saves and he also has plans to take advantage of being a free agent, so he needs a career year in 2011.  Showing up early might be just the beginning of his quest for  that “Mariano Rivera money” he seems to be looking for.