Here is our Question of the Month which is a new feature for the BBB this season. This first one is something that should stir up the blood. As you all know Jonathan Papelbon will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2010 season. Here is the Question: Should Papelbon be traded at the end of the 2009 season?*** I am going to argue in the affirmative for the following reasons: 1. He has a history of shoulder trouble. 2. He has expressed a desire to test the free market and set a new record for salary for a closer. You could see him as a Yankee as Rivera's contract expires at the same time. 3. Daniel Bard is almost ready to replace him at a much cheaper salary and will be under the Sox control for 6 more years. 4. Money saved could be used to fill needs and other positions. 5. His record this spring has not inspired great confidence. His ERA is 4.50 and he has given up 4 runs and 9 hits in 8 innings of work. His ERA in Sept and Oct of last season was 5.56. He gave up 7 runs, 17 hits in 11 1/3 innings. All the best, Don Hyslop Responses: ****Thanks for the updates guys (Don and Jody) I agree with you Don, good points. Papalbon will be a 40 ish save guy for a long time but your right the shoulder could be worrysome and also perhaps attitude could be a problem?? Trade him and if Bard is not quite ready Hideki Okajima could fill the gap nicely. Andrew**** Sounds like the Red Sox mentality of old. Trade them or let them go and they go on to be superstars for another team. I am sure that the Yankees would not let a star like Papelbon slip through their fingers for whatever amount of money. I have been a Sox fan for over 50 years and once again I have that strange feeling that they have again been outdone by the Yankees seemingly endless source of greenbacks to grab on the big names while the Red Sox set idly by. A Papelbon would be a fitting replacement for an aging Rivera. Is Jason Bay the next big name on the Steinbrenner list? Wally**** With all due respect, let's not hit the panic button just yet on this one. Let's give this Red Sox front office a little bit of credit and leeway based on what they have accomplished in the past few years. They are not of the same ilk that traded away Jeff Bagwell for Larry Anderson or Curt Schilling and Brady Anderson for an aged Mike Boddicker. These are the guys that do the unpopular at first but end up looking like geniuses - Nomar for Orlando Cabrera and let Pedro and Damon go to the highest bidder. How have those worked out? So to sum up, I love Paps but the Patriots have proven that everyone can be replaced (except Brady, of course) and the Sox seem to be on the same wave length. I personally like the wave we are on. Troy Blades**** If everything works out according to "plan", trading Paps makes sense for all of the reasons Don mentions, however, many seemed to think that Craig Hansen was the next closer in waiting a few years back, albeit with numbers inferior to those Bard has put up recently so his accession to the closer's throne is anything but a given. Keep in mind also the toll that throwing a slider and a 100 mph fastball could take on Bard's arm over the next year or so. I am hopeful that he is the exception, but a quick scan of names of pitchers who throw 100 mph shows that it contains few names who remained healthy for any length of time. Jody G. Nelson**** Some random thoughts: Guys like Papelbon don't come along every day. Pitchers of his caliber aren't just replaceable cogs. And even a 100 + mph fastball is by no means a guarantee of success in the Majors. Papelbon is a proven winner at the Major League level. As a fan who would has seen countless "can't miss" minor leaguers fizzle under the pressure of Fenway park or Yankee Stadium, I think the Red Sox brain trust should think long and hard before they cut Mr. Papelbon adrift. We hopefully have learned some lessons from past fiascos such as trading Sparky Lyle to the Yankees for Danny (Who?) Cater. Jim**** I agree with Jim completely. We should be discussing the merits of signing him to a deal as we have with Youk and Dustin. I don't blame Papelbon for trying to get every last dime he can in a career which is as high-risk as his. But regardless of his flakiness, he is one of the top relievers in the game and deserves to be compensated as such. That is why he talks of wanting to reach free agency...so he...like the rest of em...can get PAID!! Cecil**** Here, Here!, Jim! I agree. Adrian**** Pabelbon should be extended this year, as for shoulder problems that has only happened once in 06 at the end of his first full season. also look at paps numbers in the postseason they are incredible. lets not be so quick to let the best closer in redsox history go!! John**** Well said!! Let's see how the season goes. Robbie**** These are the responses that we have received so far. Although most people do not want to see Jonathan part ways with the Sox( I don't either) don't forget, that it appears that Papelbon is not interested in signing a contract extension so if he became a free agent and signed with someone else, the Sox would receive a draft choice. That being said my choice for All Time Sox closer is still the Monster: Dick Radatz!