With the Phillies the joke of the NL East and scuffling in the basement of the division, and with the trade deadline now starting to creep closer and closer, the trade rumors are beginning to kick up a little bit more by the day. One of the most likely players to be shipped out if Ruben Amaro can make a deal could be closer Jonathan Papelbon. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Toronto Blue Jays are back in the mix, and so are the Chicago Cubs.
Let’s not get too excited just yet though. Rosenthal says the Phillies have had discussions with both potential suitors but there is no deal close to be put on the table. But at least it is an indication the Phillies are looking to move Papelbon. Papelbon’s contract could expire at the end of this season but he is on track to unlock a vested option for 2016. With 77 games finished between 2014 and 2015 so far, he is just 28 games finished away from getting his option for 2016. That would cost an additional $13 million. For a team that is in a playoff hunt, that might be worth the price for a closer with postseason experience.Teams would be even more interested if the Phillies are picking up a chunk of the tab, which is something that seems to be expected to happen if Papelbon is moved. In fact, the thought the Phillies are preparing to pay whatever portion of Papelbon’s salary is the most notable part of the latest developments here. We had an idea the Phillies would be open to moving Papelbon, but
Teams would be even more interested if the Phillies are picking up a chunk of the tab, which is something that seems to be expected to happen if Papelbon is moved. In fact, the thought the Phillies are preparing to pay whatever portion of Papelbon’s salary is the most notable part of the latest developments here. We had an idea the Phillies would be open to moving Papelbon, but word they are prepared to pay a good cut of the contract is what makes this a bit more newsworthy at this time. There is no Amazon Prime when it comes to baseball trades.
We also know Papelbon is on record saying he would be open to being moved to a contender, and there may not be many around the city of brotherly love that would be all too displeased to see him go. With the Phillies continuing to scout the Toronto farm system, it looks as though the Blue Jays are the most likely trade partner. But the Cubs have the money, and a president very familiar with Papelbon in Theo Epstein. As noted by Rosenthal though, the Phillies could prefer to move Papelbon out of the National League, a notion that both makes sense and is a bit laughable. As if the Phillies are going to be contenders while Papelbon is still under his contract, even if vested.
In 24 games this season Papelbon has held up his end of the bargain with a 1.13 ERA (just three earned runs allowed), 12 saves, and a 0.917 WHIP. He has been one of the few highlights to an otherwise forgettable season so far, and if he is still on the roster he could end up being the lone all-star representative in Cincinnati later this summer (I have been stumping for Maikel Franco).
I have said it before, and I will say it once more. If the Phillies can move any player that will free up some money and/or add some prospects to the farm system, then it should be strongly considered by management and the trigger should be pulled under most situations. Trading players just to trade them is not the way to go, but if the return package is for more than a bag of baseballs, it would be wise for the Phillies to rid themselves of Papelbon or any of a few other players.
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