Jonathan Papelbon's Position Is By No Means Secure In The Offseason

The hot stove is just starting to warm, and the Red Sox are making headlines alongside their rival Yankees. Not only are the Red Sox somewhat in the running for Cliff Lee (more likely just to up the price), they apparently were in the Mariano Rivera race. Whereas the Yankees invited captain Derek Jeter to test the free agent market, they made no such indications with Rivera, and for this exact reason.

Although they won in the end, they did not want a team such as Boston (who has the money) to bid on Rivera, because he really is worth that much to them. Not only does this create a stir within the Yankee fanbase, but it also makes you wonder: why would the Red Sox do this when Jonathan Papelbon is there?

Here's why.

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