First, the bad news. Jonathan Papelbon is no longer your closer after reportedly signing with the Phillies. But there is also relative good news, as new general manager Ben Cherington should have a few options as to who the Sox can turn to as their next closer.
If you're going to lose the best closer in the history of your franchise in what's arguably still the prime of his career (for now, at least), there are worse offseasons than this one for that to happen in. Sure, Papelbon was the best option on the market (not to mention the most expensive), but unless you put an extreme amount of emphasis on the closer role, then you shouldn't be too heartbroken about his departure, beer box hat aside.
The free agent market appears to have some interesting options for the Sox to turn to, should they feel that they must look elsewhere.
Cherington and the rest of the baseball ops guys down on Yawkey Way could turn their attention to internal options. The obvious choice, should you stay in-house, would have to be Daniel Bard. He's got absolutely electric stuff, and if you feel he's ready for the role, why not give it to him? There could also be a case made for Alfredo Aceves in that role as well. However, it's also possible that both are considerations for the starting rotation (yes, even Bard), in which case, you'd probably have to go out and get someone new. Heck, don't necessarily rule out Bobby Jenks as a guy who could assume the role if healthy.
Here's just a preliminary list of free-agent closers (with a hat tip to MLBTradeRumors.com of course).
David Aardsma
Heath Bell
Jonathan Broxton
Matt Capps
Francisco Cordero
Ryan Madson
Joe Nathan
Jon Rauch
Francisco Rodriguez
Heath Bell is probably, for lack of a better term, the sexiest name on that list. Since becoming the Padres' closer in 2009, Bell's a three-time All-Star who's averaged 44 saves per season. In those three seasons, he has only blown 14 saves. He's also posted a WHIP of 1.20 or lower over that time. He was also a 10 strikeout per nine innings guys in '09 and '10, but that number curiously dipped to just over seven in '11. So that's worth noting.
Likely former Phillies closer Ryan Madson is someone the Red Sox are reportedly actively looking at. It would be interesting to see him end up in Boston if only that it would mean the Sox and Phils were "swapping" closers. In his first full season as a closer, Madson locked down 32 saves for the NL East champs. He only blew two chances, and he's another guy who will strike out more than a batter per inning. Just as importantly, he proved he's not intimidated by playing in a sizable market in meaningful ballgames. For what it's worth, he has a 2.31 ERA in 35 postseason innings of work.
Here's the problem with Bell and Madson, and Matt Capps, Francisco Rodriguez and Francisco Cordero, for that matter. They're all Type-A free agents. This means the Red Sox would have to relinquish a pretty high draft pick that they have so dearly coveted in the past, to serve as compensation for poaching one of those free agents. So that may not be a path they go down. Of course, Papelbon himself is a Type-A guy.
However, there are a couple of free agent closers who could be interesting options for the Red Sox. One is Joe Nathan. He's coming off of an injury-riddled season, something that has happened a bit too frequently for Nathan in the past few years. He's two years removed from Tommy John surgery, so you would have to be totally sure that he's healthy if you were to make a move for him. However, if he's healthy, the 36-year-old could be an viable option, as his stuff is still pretty good, and he'd likely come at an affordable rate. Even last season Nathan was able to post a WHIP of 1.16, while striking out close to a batter an inning. Maybe you think Bard is a year or two away from closing, and if that's the case, Nathan might be your guy.
Jonathan Broxton is another closer coming off of injury that could be a low-risk, high-reward type of pitcher. He had surgery in September to remove a bone chip from his elbow, and is said to be getting back into playing shape and could be a couple of weeks away from throwing. Broxton, like Nathan would probably be relatively cheap as he tries to prove he's healthy. He'll also be motivated, as at only 27, Broxton could still have another big contract ahead.
Jonathan Papelbon isn't going to be jogging out of the Red Sox bullpen again, but that doesn't mean the Sox can't find someone to bridge the gap from the ninth inning to The Standells. There are options out there.
Or hey, there's still always closer by committee.
