This from an interview today at the MLB Home Plate Sirius XM channel:
Host, Jody McDonald: “If you couldn’t work out a contract with the Red Sox before free agency comes up and you eventually become a free agent, is the Bronx ever a possibility?”
Jonathan Papelbon: “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 ya’ll can’t come to an agreement with me then I can go somewhere else.’ Not only in the Bronx, but anywhere. I think anywhere is a possibility. 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 and hopefully we can because 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?”
Make of that what you will. Given the prevailing rumors about the departures of Nomar Garciaparra, Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez (among others), this may not be the most heartwarming thing Papelbon could have said about his relationship to his team.
That said, I'm not entirely sure Papelbon and pinstripes would work out. It's not so much that I have a hard time imagining a Sox player on the Yanks (hello Johnny Damon!), as it is that I have a hard time imagining Papelbon following Mo. I'm sure, as a Yankee fan, you can understand why.
