Late last week, news broke that the Yankees now-former nemesis Jonathan Papelbon had signed a four year $50 million contract with a vesting option for a fifth. As expected, there was a great deal of reaction by Yankees fans, Red Sox fans, Phillies fans, baseball fans across the country. Opinion varied from those calling it an abomination- no closer should receive that kind of money long term- to a Ruben Amaro masterpiece, cementing the Phillies pitching staff among the best of all time.
Is a closer really all that valuable? After all, he throws about 70 innings a season. Should he really receive a starting pitcher’s or position player’s salary?
Among the statistically minded group, most regard this deal as a mistake. Relievers are much too volatile for a long term contract, and they do not pitch enough to consistently put up that kind of value. Moreover, it is supposedly easy to find a solid reliever on a year to year basis. The answer though may not be so simpl...
Original Story:
