I wish Papelbon would just shut his Pie Hole for once.

[Gemini]

Jonathan Papelbon told reporters Thursday he'd be willing to sign anywhere, including the Yankees, if he can't agree to a long-term deal with the Red Sox.
"Not only the Bronx, but anywhere, I think anywhere is a possibility," Papelbon said in a Sirius XM radio interview. "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?" Papelbon is under contract until 2011. He has the numbers to warrant high contract demands.
Source: Boston Herald Jun. 19 - 10:00 am et

[Fafnir]

Yeah I hate it when players talk honestly and maturely about the business aspect of spots  .

[CelticsWhat35]

Yeah I hate it when players talk honestly and maturely about the business aspect of spots  .

Actually, the mature thing to say would be that he understands this is a business, but he's with the Red Sox now and for at least the next two years, so any contract talk would be premature at this time.

[orrzor]

Boston sure is a tough sports town. No one can say anything without being criticized and their intentions/loyalties being questioned.

[Fafnir]

Yeah I hate it when players talk honestly and maturely about the business aspect of spots  .

Actually, the mature thing to say would be that he understands this is a business, but he's with the Red Sox now and for at least the next two years, so any contract talk would be premature at this time.

What's wrong with discussing the question when it is asked? He didn't bash the team or management, nor is he bringing it up himself every interview.

[GroverTheClover]

I saw the comments on boston.com and wondered what the fuss is all about. The guy can't speculate about his future? Why does he have to sugarcoat everything to satisfy the fanbase?

[CelticsWhat35]

Yeah I hate it when players talk honestly and maturely about the business aspect of spots  .

Actually, the mature thing to say would be that he understands this is a business, but he's with the Red Sox now and for at least the next two years, so any contract talk would be premature at this time.

What's wrong with discussing the question when it is asked? He didn't bash the team or management, nor is he bringing it up himself every interview.

Because the media doesn't care about him.  They're just trying to sell papers.  So obviously they're going to ask questions in order to try to get controversial responses.  But it would be in Pap's best interest to not discuss something, that won't be happening for another couple years, because now that he did, reporters are gonna continue to harp on that now.

Whereas if he just says what most intelligent players say, the subject wouldn't constatnly be coming up.  This isn't about hurting the fan base's feelings, it's about having common sense.

[Fafnir]

I saw the comments on boston.com and wondered what the fuss is all about. The guy can't speculate about his future? Why does he have to sugarcoat everything to satisfy the fanbase?

It's the Red Sox, everything about them is incredibly serious and important.  

[crownsy]

Yeah I hate it when players talk honestly and maturely about the business aspect of spots  .

Actually, the mature thing to say would be that he understands this is a business, but he's with the Red Sox now and for at least the next two years, so any contract talk would be premature at this time.

What's wrong with discussing the question when it is asked? He didn't bash the team or management, nor is he bringing it up himself every interview.

Because the media doesn't care about him.  They're just trying to sell papers.  So obviously they're going to ask questions in order to try to get controversial responses.  But it would be in Pap's best interest to not discuss something, that won't be happening for another couple years, because now that he did, reporters are gonna continue to harp on that now.

Whereas if he just says what most intelligent players say, the subject wouldn't constatnly be coming up.  This isn't about hurting the fan base's feelings, it's about having common sense.

but your definition of common sense seems to be to defer the question to not hurt the fan base's feelings rather than be honest and awenser it. I'm not sure I agree with that.

I don't mind either response, as Fafnir said, he didn't go off on some rant or say anything outlandish (unusual for paps) and as you say, some players prefer not to discuss it.

Either way is fine with me, TP's for both of ya.

[FallGuy]

Nothing wrong with this answer. Is it perfectly phrased? Probably not. But it's hardly objectionable especially given that the Sox may very well be unwilling to give him the money he can get on the open market with Bard in the pipeline. And he knows that. There have been rumblings to that effect already.

[CelticsWhat35]

Yeah I hate it when players talk honestly and maturely about the business aspect of spots  .

Actually, the mature thing to say would be that he understands this is a business, but he's with the Red Sox now and for at least the next two years, so any contract talk would be premature at this time.

What's wrong with discussing the question when it is asked? He didn't bash the team or management, nor is he bringing it up himself every interview.

Because the media doesn't care about him.  They're just trying to sell papers.  So obviously they're going to ask questions in order to try to get controversial responses.  But it would be in Pap's best interest to not discuss something, that won't be happening for another couple years, because now that he did, reporters are gonna continue to harp on that now.

Whereas if he just says what most intelligent players say, the subject wouldn't constatnly be coming up.  This isn't about hurting the fan base's feelings, it's about having common sense.

but your definition of common sense seems to be to defer the question to not hurt the fan base's feelings rather than be honest and awenser it. I'm not sure I agree with that.

I don't mind either response, as Fafnir said, he didn't go off on some rant or say anything outlandish (unusual for paps) and as you say, some players prefer not to discuss it.

Either way is fine with me, TP's for both of ya.

No, my definition of common sense is to defer the question because it makes no sense to talk about it now.  It doesn't benefit him or the team.  All it benefits is the media.  Now, instead of hearing about current things going on with the team that will effect them NOW, you'll have the Big Show and NEST, etc. talking about it for weeks.

[Kwhit10]

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?"

Um Paps who said you were unwanted?  Why don't you say what you really feel and say it's all about money.  Why would a team sign you that doesn't want you, he's just trying to politely say he wants the $$.

[crownsy]

Yeah I hate it when players talk honestly and maturely about the business aspect of spots  .

Actually, the mature thing to say would be that he understands this is a business, but he's with the Red Sox now and for at least the next two years, so any contract talk would be premature at this time.

What's wrong with discussing the question when it is asked? He didn't bash the team or management, nor is he bringing it up himself every interview.

Because the media doesn't care about him.  They're just trying to sell papers.  So obviously they're going to ask questions in order to try to get controversial responses.  But it would be in Pap's best interest to not discuss something, that won't be happening for another couple years, because now that he did, reporters are gonna continue to harp on that now.

Whereas if he just says what most intelligent players say, the subject wouldn't constatnly be coming up.  This isn't about hurting the fan base's feelings, it's about having common sense.

but your definition of common sense seems to be to defer the question to not hurt the fan base's feelings rather than be honest and awenser it. I'm not sure I agree with that.

I don't mind either response, as Fafnir said, he didn't go off on some rant or say anything outlandish (unusual for paps) and as you say, some players prefer not to discuss it.

Either way is fine with me, TP's for both of ya.

No, my definition of common sense is to defer the question because it makes no sense to talk about it now.  It doesn't benefit him or the team.  All it benefits is the media.  Now, instead of hearing about current things going on with the team that will effect them NOW, you'll have the Big Show and NEST, etc. talking about it for weeks.

Yea, the boston talk shows are staffed by a bunch of morons who have to fill 4 hours and will drum up anything.

But guess what? that's not his problem, maybe he doesn't care if they talk about him giving an honest response to a question.

again, your definition of common sense:

No, my definition of common sense is to defer the question because it makes no sense to talk about it now.  It doesn't benefit him or the team.

doesn't jive for me, personally. It does no harm either, except to people that are hypersensitive to the truth about sports, and can't take the fact that players dont eat, sleep, and breath red sox nation, and actively consider their future and how to get payed the maximum amount.

By your logic above, the sensible thing for red sox players being interviewed to do is say nothing at all unless the question is "the red sox are so awesome, how can you become MORE awesome?" or similar softball questions and not be truthful or hide from the question when it's remotely non-softball about how awesome the team is.

[CelticsWhat35]

Yeah I hate it when players talk honestly and maturely about the business aspect of spots  .

Actually, the mature thing to say would be that he understands this is a business, but he's with the Red Sox now and for at least the next two years, so any contract talk would be premature at this time.

What's wrong with discussing the question when it is asked? He didn't bash the team or management, nor is he bringing it up himself every interview.

Because the media doesn't care about him.  They're just trying to sell papers.  So obviously they're going to ask questions in order to try to get controversial responses.  But it would be in Pap's best interest to not discuss something, that won't be happening for another couple years, because now that he did, reporters are gonna continue to harp on that now.

Whereas if he just says what most intelligent players say, the subject wouldn't constatnly be coming up.  This isn't about hurting the fan base's feelings, it's about having common sense.

but your definition of common sense seems to be to defer the question to not hurt the fan base's feelings rather than be honest and awenser it. I'm not sure I agree with that.

I don't mind either response, as Fafnir said, he didn't go off on some rant or say anything outlandish (unusual for paps) and as you say, some players prefer not to discuss it.

Either way is fine with me, TP's for both of ya.

No, my definition of common sense is to defer the question because it makes no sense to talk about it now.  It doesn't benefit him or the team.  All it benefits is the media.  Now, instead of hearing about current things going on with the team that will effect them NOW, you'll have the Big Show and NEST, etc. talking about it for weeks.

Yea, the boston talk shows are staffed by a bunch of morons who have to fill 4 hours and will drum up anything.

But guess what? that's not his problem, maybe he doesn't care if they talk about him giving an honest response to a question.

again, your definition of common sense:

No, my definition of common sense is to defer the question because it makes no sense to talk about it now.  It doesn't benefit him or the team.

doesn't jive for me, personally. It does no harm either, except to people that are hypersensitive to the truth about sports, and can't take the fact that players dont eat, sleep, and breath red sox nation, and actively consider their future and how to get payed the maximum amount.

By your logic above, the sensible thing for red sox players being interviewed to do is say nothing at all unless the question is "the red sox are so awesome, how can you become MORE awesome?" or similar softball questions and not be truthful or hide from the question when it's remotely non-softball about how awesome the team is.

Why do people keep using the term "honesty" when refering to his answer?  If he was being honest, he would say it's about the money.  There's nothing wrong with that.  No player owes loyalty to a team when they're a free agent.  They can do whatever they want.  But let's not praise the guy for being "honest", when in actuality he's just trying to find a more PC way of saying "I want more money" by masking it with "I want to go to a team that wants me."

[crownsy]

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?"

Um Paps who said you were unwanted?  Why don't you say what you really feel and say it's all about money.  Why would a team sign you that doesn't want you, he's just trying to politely say he wants the $$.

yea, it is all about the money, baseball is his job.


but fans worldwide have decided that professional athletes who try to maximize their earnings potential are the devil and they should always sign for "hometown discounts" on the teams terms.

Which, in any other profession, would be absolute lunacy.

If your friend came to you, and told you that while he really likes the company he's working at, but another company had offered him significantly more money, you would tell him to take the new job.

The dehumanization of players who want to make the most they can at their job because they are high-payed has always made me laugh.

First of all, while in the abstract everyone says they would take a massive paycut to play on the hometown squad, go after rings, ect, i REALLY question it. Either sports fan's are incredibly generous, or they are lying to themselves in alot of cases. Because if i told you you could have 4 million dollars for staying in your current location or 6 million dollars for doing the exact same job somewhere else, people would generally take the 6 million in my opinion.

But whenever an athlete says such a thing, he's "greedy" because of some sense of entitlement the fans get that you "own" that player and "pay his salary" and he has "no loyalty"

Look, i get that we all love our players and get attached to them, but sports is a business. A high paying one, to be sure, but still a business.

I fault no man or women for attempting to maximize their earnings potential. After all, that's the free market way, and i happen to think its a darn good way. If your team want's you, they will pay for your services. If they think your not worth it, they won't.