Jonathan Papelbon sure knows how to say things that ruffle peoples' feathers. In a postgame interview after the Phillies' embarrassing 12-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers in which Papelbon had to pitch a mop-up inning, Papelbon made some comments that will upset some Phillies fans. He thinks a full-scale rebuild is in order, and he does not wish to be around for poor play. Todd Zolecki has the story on MLB.com.
First, Papelbon likened the Phillies situation to that of the Boston Red Sox. Part of the rebuilding of the Red Sox was letting Papelbon himself go, along with other players and even the General Manager. He thinks the Phillies could benefit from something similiar:
"It's going to take, in my opinion, a lot," he said. "And in my opinion, I think it's going to have to be something very similar to what the Red Sox went through a couple years ago. From top to bottom."
So does Papelbon want to be out of town?
"No, I would like to stay here. But if I'm going to have to put up with this year after year, then no, I don't want to be here. Why would you? Why would anybody?"
"I definitely didn't come here for this", Papelbon said. It's not what we envisioned when the Phillies signed him, either. Will he be here for this? We shall see.
