Papelbon: Sox didn't value durability

PHILADELPHIA -- Former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, now a member of the Phillies, said that he was not surprised when the Red Sox did not make him an offer to retain his services as a free agent. However, the four-time All-Star also said that he believes the Sox failed to appreciate the value of his durability in a position at which numerous pitchers -- including his anticipated replacement in Boston, Andrew Bailey -- have gone down with injuries this year. Papelbon added that he had remained healthy since the time of a right shoulder subluxation in September 2006 in spite of numerous disagreements with the Red Sox training staff.

"No, I don't [think so]," Papelbon said of whether the Sox properly valued his durability. "I feel like I have [been one of the most durable closers in the game]. ... I feel like I've been durable just as much as anybody else out there. I know myself better than anybody. I know myself better than any trainer in Boston, [who] tried to tell me that they knew me better. That goes with experience, knowing yourself, trusting yourself and listening to what you have to listen to and not listening to things you know aren't going to make you stay durable.

"The previous trainer tried to tell me that he knew everything about me. It's just not the case. I know myself. I knew how to get through a 162-game season. A trainer doesn't know how to do that. The trainers here have been phenomenal. They understand that I'm going to be successful because I know how to be successful. I still did things my way when I was there in Boston, I just had somebody chirping in my ear the whole time. … You stay in your own lane, you'll be fine. I'll stay in my lane, I know what I need to do, I'll be fine."

Papelbon said that the conflicts with the training staff occurred "the whole time I was there, mostly."

Papelbon also said that the departure of former Sox manager Terry Francona virtually ensured that he wouldn't have returned to Boston, even had the team made a push to retain him.

"A huge light bulb went off in my head," Papelbon said of his feeling when Francona's fate was determined. "I wouldn't say that was it, but it was about 99.9 percent [sure of not returning]. Yeah, I was shocked."

For more of Papelbon's thoughts on his Red Sox tenure as he gets ready to see his former club in Philadelphia this weekend, click here. For complete Red Sox coverage, visit weei.com/redsox.