How could we not?
The end of Game 3 of the American League Division Series will be difficult to put out of our minds. We may never purge it from our memories altogether. After all, how can you forget having that feeling of complete confidence that only a truly elite closer can instill before seeing it all ripped away in a matter of minutes?
Top of the ninth, two outs, two-run lead, Papelbon on the mound at Fenway Park ready to close out a sure win. We'd seen it a million times before, but we'd never seen it fall apart quite like this. We've never seen Papelbon, one of the game's greatest postseason competitors, blow it in a game this big with the stakes this high.
But after two walks, a double, two singles and three months to dwell on the season that was, maybe it's time for us to put Papelbon's one misstep behind us. 2009 is in the past — and when we look to 2010, we see a bright future for the Red Sox' 29-year-old closer. He's still one of the best in the game.
And he expects to be paid like it.
With Papelbon and the Red Sox once again neglecting to sit down and talk about a long-term contract extension this year, Papelbon is once again atop the list of arbitration-eligible stars, headed to the court system this winter to get a deal for the coming season. And if history is any indication, that deal is going to be a blockbuster.
After finishing his first three years of major league service time, Papelbon was eligible for arbitration for the first time last winter. He and the Red Sox agreed to terms on a one-year deal last January, with the club shelling out $6.25 million for his services in 2009. It was more than eight times his previous salary, and it placed him among the top three richest arbitration first-timers ever, right behind Ryan Howard and Miguel Cabrera.
And now, it's time for him to get another raise.
Take a look at the kind of paychecks the game's best closers are getting next season. Mariano Rivera is set to make $15 million. Brad Lidge and Francisco Rodriguez will get $11.5 million each. Joe Nathan's in line for $11.25 million. You can't look at Papelbon's track record and say he's not in the same league with those other elite closers. Papelbon's one of the best, and the Red Sox had better dole out the cash accordingly.
It's easy to get hung up on the occasional blown saves and say that the guy took a step backward in 2009. Even Papelbon himself is dwelling on last October. But the big picture is that Papelbon's been one of the best in the game for four years running.
He gave the Red Sox a 1.85 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP last year. He saved 38 games and lost just one. He struck out a superhuman 76 batters in 68 innings.
And this was a down year?
Blown October save or not, this is a guy that's built for the long haul. And at 29 years old, he's still in the prime of his career. If he comes back in 2010 focused, determined and unmoved by the way his '09 ended, he's going to be as good as ever.
