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Jonathan Papelbon thinks he'll be asked to start, rather than close, when he arrives at spring training next year

Papelbon added that nothing is set in stone, but he sounded pretty convinced when saying, "They know I can start, I know myself I can start, I've done it before. Theo knows. He's thinking about me going into the rotation. So is Tito. [But] right now it's a thought." He also listed off his own name with that of Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, and Tim Wakefield in a potential 2007 rotation, and that he's not being shy about the situation is a good indictator that it will happen. Working against the Red Sox is a weak free agent class in terms of closers and a stronger group when it comes to starting pitchers.


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Bro, Ryan Howard belted his 57th homer of the season by taking Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez deep in the third inning on Sunday.

Howard was also walked twice, grounded out, and flew out to deep center in the contest. The left-hander actually lost a home run to an admitted blown call yesterday, but he didn't let that bother him today. Today's homer actually gave Howard more homers on the road (29) than at home (28*) this season. The Phillies have 13 games left on the season, and are now within a game of the wild card-leading Padres.

I don't blame Papelbon for wanting to start. Starters get more money than relievers and I think that would be a pretty solid rotation for the Red Sox.

I think Howard is a good player. I'm not convinced he's a stud though. He could prove me wrong if the Phillies make the playoffs and he lights the pitching up but after watching some of the Phillies games and watching him strikeout in the all-star game I really don't think he's great. It's just my opinion but I think he's just a good regular season player. I'd still take Pujols at first. Btw, the Phillies are one game back of the Dodgers. The Pads are in first in the NL West and if the Dodgers don't start playing with some urgency they'll miss the playoffs entirely. :evil:

I blame Papelbon for WANTING to be in the rotation. Athletes are supposed to do whats best for the team, not themselves. Right?

As for Howard, if he hits 57 HR's in his rookie year... what more do you want from the guy before you label him the real deal?

Sports is more business nowadays. The guy wants to make more money and I don't see a problem with that. He wants to be in the starting rotation and I think the Red Sox should give him a shot. He could be a solid #3 starter behind Schilling and Beckett and from what I've seen of Papelbon he could be an ace in someone else's team.

You can only be a rookie for one year in the majors. Last year Howard hit 23 and was awarded NL Rookie of the year. Pretty good. If he stays in the NL he'll constantly pay visits to the DL. I'll even take Derrick Lee over Howard.

I know players have to look out for themselves first. But, Papelbon shouldn't rock the boat. He has dominated as a closer and he should stick with what he knows.

As for Howard, I forgot he got the ROY last year. The kid hit 23 and 57 so far. If he ain't for real... thats a hell of a long hot streak!!!! I'll take Howard as my famtasy 1B next year if Pujols is gone.

Howard is good but I just think he's overrated. We'll have to wait and see how he does in the postseason because I think the Phillies should be able to make it to October ball within the next couple of years, if not this year.

I think it's worth it for the Red Sox to give Papelbon a shot in the starting rotation. Smoltz did very good as a closer and as a starter. The worst thing that can happen is that he doesn't hack it as a starter and he gets put back in the pen but what if he does good in the starting rotation. I think they should gamble and bid for Gagne and try Papelbon as a starter.

Papelbons noodle can't even hold on for a full season of 1 inning apperances, and you want to throw him out there for 175+ innings? Are you a Yankees fan or something?

Howard is like any other player that hits 57 HR's in a single season... rated right where he needs to be. Is he Pujols... no, but I would take him on my squad before I took Teixeira though.

QUOTE(ruffriders23)Papelbons noodle can't even hold on for a full season of 1 inning apperances, and you want to throw him out there for 175+ innings? Are you a Yankees fan or something?
LOL. A closer is a special breed, especially in big markets such as NY and Boston. Isn't he a rookie? I say he did a pretty good job until Boston caved in on itself in that 5 game series vs the Yankees.

Howard's 164 strikeouts = easy meat for a good pitcher. I'd even take Carlos Delgado over Howard.

I'm a Dodgers fan, btw.

Closers may be a special breed, but a rook that has his wing falling off after 68.1 innings isn't a good bet to go 175+. If you go back and look, most of his runs came after he went more than 1.0 innings. 1.1 - 2.0 innings is where he gave up the runs. That tells me his stuff is unhittable until about the 2nd inning and then he will get rocked once the other team figures him out. Same thing happened to Gagne. If you remember... the guy sucked as a SP, but was lights out for 1-2 innings.

As for Howard, he isn't easy meat for any pitcher... thus his 57 jacks and 140 RBI's. Any guy who hits that many HR's is going to K alot. Soriano K'd 147 times so far, Dunn at 179, Thome at 135, A-Rod at 137, etc. Swinging with that much power is either hit or miss... it's not like a Jeter were you make contact and squeeze one through the hole. How many of those K's happened because of a foul tip or 2 that might have been HR's if he just got a little more of it?

Gagne wasn't that bad as a SP. He could have developed into a good #3 or #2 but once he went to the pen his starting days were over. He was still young when he made the transition. Papelbon has a tired shoulder and I'm sure if the Red Sox had a chance for the postseason he'd still be pitching. Pitching in consecutive days also takes a toll on a pitcher. It's not just the innings that count but I'm sure the constant pressure put on closers wears them out too. I don't know if he'll be any good as a starter but if the Red Sox want to keep him then they should probably be in the market for a closer.

Of those guys you mentioned the only one I would take is A-Rod. I'm not saying Howard sucks or that he's easy meat for any pitcher but he won't be a factor with good playoff pitching because he'll strikeout. Howard needs to go to the AL where he can DH. If he wants to stay that big he'll eventually get hurt in the NL. Dude's overrated.

Congrats to the Mets. I hope the Dodgers face them in the playoffs.