GM Theo Epstein told the Herald's John Tomase that closer Jonathan Papelbon is likely to be back with the Red Sox in 2011—his last year under the control of the team. Theo's reasoning is that it's better to have one more year of relative certainty (and I stress the word relative) for the 8th and 9th innings.I tend to agree. Daniel Bard has been great this year, but he still struggles with inherited runners and doesn't quite have the 'Closer Thing' going for him yet. One more year of tutelage should do the trick—after which Papelbon is likely to be toiling in the Bronx.
