Now pitching for the Yankees … Jonathan Papelbon?
The Red Sox closer says “anywhere is a possiblity” when he becomes a free agent after the 2011 season. That includes closing for the Yankees.
“Not only The Bronx, but anywhere, I think anywhere is a possibility,” Papelbon said in a Sirius XM radio interview yesterday, according to quotes posted on WEEI.com. “You always have to keep that in the back of your mind because you can’t just be one-sided and think that, ‘Oh I’m going to be in a Red Sox uniform my entire career.’ Because nowadays that is very, very rare.
“There’s no question I would love to stay in a Boston Red Sox uniform, but I have to do what’s best for me and play in an atmosphere where I’m wanted and play on a team where I’m wanted, and that’s all I can really say about that, you know?”
Asked directly if he would play for the arch rival Yankees, Papelbon said, “Oh, of course. I mean, I think if we can’t come to an agreement on terms here in a Red Sox uniform, I mean I think that’s pretty much the writing on the wall. If they can’t come to terms with you they’re letting you know that, ‘Hey you know what? We can go somewhere else’ and I think it’s the same way on the other side, ‘Hey if y’all can’t come to an agreement with me then I can go somewhere else.'”
Likely Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera turns 42 after the 2011, and if Joba Chamberlain remains in the starting rotation, the Yankees certainly could be in the market for a closer then.
And, as they have shown with Jose Contreras, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira, they have no problem competing with the Red Sox off the field, as well.
Papelbon generated anger from fans at last year’s All-Star Game when he said he should close the game at Yankee Stadium, not Rivera.
Last month, he threw a towel at a Post photographer after blowing a save against the Mets.
Coincidentally, the Yankees reportedly are looking at former arch enemy Pedro Martinez, who famously threw Yankees coach Don Zimmer to the ground during the 2003 playoffs while with the Red Sox.