Jonathan Papelbon Wants His Money

I was planning to write up on this yesterday when I first saw this quote, but as you probably noticed, I didn’t do any posting. You can chalk that up to LBS being out with “flu-like symptoms.” Funny how multiple athletes have symptoms of the flu, but they never get it. Anyway, I never quite understood this quote by Papelbon last year, but it was pretty clear making money is one of his main focuses. Which brings me to Pap’s comments on Thursday:

“I have no problem with pushing the market up,” Papelbon said before last night’s 6-3 win against Kansas City at Fenway Park. “I have no problem with guys holding out for what they’re worth.

“I have no problem with going year to year.”

While Papelbon has no problem going year to year, as he said, I have a little problem with his mentality. First off, I’ve already made it clear that I’m not a fan of baseball’s arbitration system and I prefer players and teams avoid it where possible. Clearly Papelbon couldn’t care less about going to arbitration because his numbers speak for themselves. But what’s wrong with financial security? What’s wrong with signing a long-term deal with the team you’re currently playing for so that contract issues don’t become a distraction? What’s wrong with keeping together the pieces of a winning team? Unless Papelbon isn’t enjoying playing for a winner in Boston, I don’t understand his thinking. And especially as a pitcher, going year-to-year can be somewhat risky; going longterm seems to be the most secure option. Man, if I wind up seeing Papelbon in Brewers jersey down the line after signing a monster free agent deal with them, I’m going to be scratching my head.