You might recall that there was a time when Jonathan Papelbon, the most accomplished closer in Red Sox history, was ticketed for the starting rotation.
He went into spring training 2007 as a projected member of the five-man group. It was late in March of that year that Papelbon, who said he wasn't sleeping well because deep down wanted to close, was moved back to the bullpen.
It filled a void (projected closer Mike Timlin was hurt), satisfied Papelbon's urges and kept manager Terry Francona from worrying how the switch from reliever to starter might pan out.
The reason for Francona's concern? Papelbon had yet to develop a third pitch. His slider was a work in progress.
"I think that was the concern I had," Francona said. "It's a good argument for everybody. I looked at him more as a two-pitch pitcher and maybe a guy that would have to work so hard to get through five. Never thought he wouldn't be successful, or get people out, but that he would have to work so hard to get through five, that all of a sudden he's not going deep into games. And he's too good a pitcher [to use in that way]."
Had Papelbon showcased the slider then that he has now, would the move to the rotation have worked?
"Yep. But he's done OK. He's done OK right where he's at," Francona said.
Papelbon has only pitched five times this year, two in save situations. However, he has shown an early reliance on the slider, throwing it 21 percent of the time, compared to a career average of 7.9 percent.
His out pitches have always been the fastball and the split-fingered fastball. Those remain the primary weapons, but that third offering is effective enough that Francona can reflect on how far it has come.
"I remember when he first broke it out [years ago] I was like, 'Pap don't ever get beat with that pitch. Put in your back pocket, just go fastball, split,'" Francona said. "But, no, he's worked on it enough on it where it actually…it's become a viable pitch."
Papelbon has not allowed a hit or a walk in his last four outings, striking out five in the process. The right-hander has enjoyed the amplification of his arsenal.
"I feel good right now, my delivery is intact and for me that's obviously key. I think I'm having a good mix this year with my pitches," Papelbon said after picking up a save Saturday against Toronto. "For the most part, being able to incorporate all my pitches, that's key."
Now, more than ever, that involves the use of the slider.
