Boston Red Sox: Jonathan Papelbon Signs with Phillies, Is He Worth $50 Million?

The Philadelphia Phillies have flown under the radar and picked up the best closer on the 2011 free-agent market, Jonathan Papelbon from the Boston Red Sox. The deal was reported to be worth $50 million over four years and he has an option that could potentially make it a $60 million deal.

The Red Sox and their fans alike should be totally devastated by this news because now they have to really feel out the free agents for a great, no fantastic, closer option that can actually get it done in the ninth inning. Papelbon had only two blown saves in 2011. Sure, it was a free-agency year for him, but he is definitely the greatest closer in Red Sox history.

Papelbon deserves the money he is going to get form the Phillies and the Sox should have offered him more than that for the passion he showed on the field for the game of baseball and the Sox in general.

Some options for the Sox include: Frank Francisco, Joe Nathan, Heath Bell, Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez, Francisco Cordero, Matt Capps and even the ex-Philly, Ryan Madson. All of these relievers are viable options and have had at least one season with 15+ saves.

The Sox need to hurry up with this manager search before they lose other big-named free agents. They need to just buckle down and get a manager in the door and sign the players they want.

David Ortiz or another big bat, such as Aramis Ramirez or Carlos Beltran, are out there and ready to be placed on a team. The Sox need to get their act together and sign at least one of these bats before they are off the table too.