Thanks For the Memories Pap, But It Was Time to Go

It was time for him to go. Today, Jonathan Papelbon signed a 4-year contract with the Phillies. What seems to get lost in the sauce is that Papelbon blew that game against the Orioles to knock us out of postseason play. As a closer, Papelbon was a "thrill a minute." Sure, he'd rack up decent numbers and have a respectable amount of saves, he still did this through loading the bases with nobody out or giving up runs but managing to sneak out. Listen, there was nothing more intimidating than that stare and the 95 mph heat that he threw. Just straight ched. But I don't blame him for leaving. The Sox clubhouse is a mess, and he certainly is not going to be the last to go. Other big names like cough Ellsbury cough will go. Pretty soon it's going to be just Crawford and Gonzalez being the big names on this team. Youkillis is being shopped and I wouldn't be shocked to see him in another uniform next spring. But if it's one thing I am looking forward to, it's that I won't have to see John Lackey pitch a game next season for us. Between the Pats and the Sox offseason, I'm just settling in for the ride. Hold on.