probably should at least stretch first

WheelsFellOff wrote:Good God they need to start playing games soon.

i have good news

I hear ya, jive.

At the risk of belaboring this, I want to point out that Kheri called Papelbon's 2016 option "very reachable." But, it vests with 100 games finished in 2014-2015 or 55 games finished in 2015. That will only happen if he's healthy and effective through 2015, in which case, who cares?

Do you think it really matters if he's effective? Lidge finished 55 games in 2009 with an ERA of 7.21

Barry Jive wrote:Do you think it really matters if he's effective?

Do I think the Phillies would reduce his workload if he's not pitching well rather than have his 2016 option vest? Yeah, I do.

Lidge was a different situation contractually, and it actually made some sense to give him every last chance to right things before the playoffs

what you think Amaro ain't on paper too

I just don't see Charlie changing the way he uses his bullpen because of somebody's contract. And with Lidge, you had Madson on the roster. There's nobody else in this bullpen Charlie would be close to trusting as his closer as much as he does Papelbon. Hopefully Mike Adams lights it up for a couple months so he has a long leash for the entirety of his career here.

Barry Jive wrote:I just don't see Charlie changing the way he uses his bullpen because of somebody's contract. And with Lidge, you had Madson on the roster. There's nobody else in this bullpen Charlie would be close to trusting as his closer as much as he does Papelbon. Hopefully Mike Adams lights it up for a couple months so he has a long leash for the entirety of his career here.

Will Charlie be here in 2015? And we have no idea what the Phillies will be thinking or doing then, as the team will look very different.

As will the payroll complexion, which is another reason I'm far from sure that last year (whether 2015 or 2016) is a big factor.

Grote are you factoring in the aspect that Papelbon is just the worst dude. Arguably the biggest nut in the steaming growler that was the mid-2000s Red Sox

That being said, as long as he never gives up a run ever, I may soften my stance

fuck man, there's no Spring weekend series in San Diego this year. I just kind of assumed that was an annual thing. major chink in my vacation plans

good point. i guess a lot can change before then. but regardless of what the payroll looks like in 2016, things would be a lot easier to manage if Papelbon isn't taking up $13 million of it. unless Charlie is gone by 2015 or Papelbon gets hurt in 2014 or 2015, I don't see that happening.

joe table wrote:Arguably the biggest nut in the steaming growler that was the mid-2000s Red Sox

Mistakes were made

amaroso is on a roll

For anyone who won't be able to catch the pressers:

"I'm in the best shape of my life."

Doc: Arm feels good.

Chase: Knees feel good.

Ryan: Achilles feels good.

Smug and Charlie on DNL tonight

WTF Jonah Keri? Papelbon's contract is bad because Manuel uses him wrong and Crash proved it? I think every team uses their closer the same way pretty much. Keri writes Papelbon would be more valuable on another team because he would be used better? Like who. (Whom?).

FFS.

smitty wrote:WTF Jonah Keri? Papelbon's contract is bad because Manuel uses him wrong and Crash proved it? I think every team uses their closer the same way pretty much. Keri writes Papelbon would be more valuable on another team because he would be used better? Like who. (Whom?).

FFS.

sabr people aren't good at valuing relievers or understanding how they are used.

Phillie starters go 7. Adams for the 8th. Papelbon for the 9th. The rest of the reliefers fight for innings in Lannen's starts. Pretty simple.

Speaking of innovative use of a closer, Craig Kimbrel pitched in 63 games last season. He pitched exactly one inning, the last inning, in 61 of them. He pitched an inning and a third while closing a 1-0 win and he pitched 1/3 of an inning once.

Dammit Manuel. Can't you be imaginative like the Braves were?

Lol at Saber men.