Vote: Who Do You Want Closing Games for the Red Sox This Season?

The Red Sox have plenty of options when it comes to who they want on the mound at the end of the game. They've got three guys who could be trusted to slam the door shut, but if you had to pick between Jonathan Papelbon, Bobby Jenks and Daniel Bard, which one do you want on the mound for the Red Sox with the game on the line?

Papelbon, who put up a 3.90 ERA in 2010, had never previously had an ERA above 2.34, and he was certainly shaky in the ninth last season. However, with his baseball — and financial — future on the line in 2011, he'll surely be doing everything he can to rebound. The fact that Theo Epstein brought in so many new bullpen arms and even reached out to Mariano Rivera will certainly motivate Papelbon as well.

Jenks, though, was even a little worse than Papelbon last season, posting a 4.44 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP in 2010. He also posted a career low in saves at 27, his fourth-consecutive year with a decrease. Still, while Papelbon's 2010 meltdowns are still relatively fresh memories, Jenks has a clean slate in Red Sox Nation.

There's always Daniel Bard, as well. Bard is widely accepted as the likely successor as the guy the Red Sox will have at the back end of the bullpen when Papelbon eventually moves on. Bard had three saves in 2010, but did struggle some in very limited time as the closer in the absence of Papelbon. Still, there are plenty who think that the kid is ready for the job right now.

Who do you want closing games for the Red Sox this season?online surveys