Roche: Papelbon Return Wouldn't Be Good Fit For Red Sox
BOSTON (CBS) -- Red Sox president Dave Dombrowski spoke about his offseason plans on Tuesday, which includes bolstering the Boston bullpen.
Dombrowski said he would like to add another closer, someone who could help set up Koji Uehara but also take over in the event the 40-year-old can't return to form after breaking his wrist last season.
Could a reunion with Jonathan Papelbon be in the cards? Papelbon is signed through next season at $13 million, but the Washington Nationals may be looking to dump the soon-to-be 35-year-old after his near-brawl with franchise player Bryce Harper.
WBZ-TV's Dan Roche joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich on Wednesday to discuss potential offseason moves for the Red Sox, but doesn't think Papelbon should be part of those plans.
"I don't know about that. Pap was great when he was here, but I don't know. I don't think you want to go through the potential downfall for a guy who has pitched in so many innings and all those games," Roche said. "Knowing his makeup and mentality, I don't think it's a good fit."
Roche said he would give guys in the minors a chance to help the bullpen, rather than invest potentially big money in aging veterans.
Papelbon finished his 11th MLB season with 24 saves, a 2.13 ERA and 56 strikeouts over 63.1 innings between the Nationals and Phillies. He has 690.2 innings under his belt for his career, and is Boston's all-time leader in saves with 219 over his seven seasons with the Red Sox.
Roche also touches on how Dombrowski can fix Boston's rotation, and gives a few thoughts on Sunday's Patriots-Colts matchup:
