Everyone loves the goofball. Jonathan Papelbon is a sensational closer on the mound, and a Disney character off it.

But when he talks about his contract, Jon (as we knew him in Portland, back in 2005) needs to show restraint.

During Papelbon's press conference after his spring training appearance on Tuesday, Papelson said, "I feel a certain obligation to not only myself and my family to make the money that I deserve, but for the game of baseball. Mariano Rivera has been doing it for the past 10 years. With me coming up behind him, I feel a certain obligation to do the same."

Papelbon's contention is that he has to look out for all those poverty-stricken closers that follow him. He has to set the standard, yada, yada, yada.

But Jon, this is only your third year. You know the rules. Take a decent raise and await the big bucks that will come through arbitration and free agency. That's where Mariano scored his millions.

The benchmark for Papelbon's position is the $550,000 that was given to Bobby Jenks of the White Sox. Jenks has similar numbers and experience.

If Papelbon wants a lot more than that, then he's fighting a battle he cannot win. He won't get the big, big, bucks yet. And by talking about it, like he did Tuesday, he looks more greedy than goofy.

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