It may be a possibility! Sox executives made recent comments that are making us all go “hmm?” Theo Epstein hinted in an interview that Jonathan Papelbon remains an option to be a closer (meaning he really is fully healthy) and John Henry had this to say: “We do have one, I guess we just canít tell you who that is. It hasnít been announced? No closer has been announced? … You canít always believe what you hear.”
If Papelbon does indeed close, this probably shifts Jon Lester into the favorite for the #5 slot, with outside shots in Devern Hansack, Kyle Snyder, Julian Tavarez and Joel Pineiro (who I feel needs to remain in the bullpen).
