So you’d like to be pitching for a contender later this month? “Of course, man,” Papelbon said. “What kind of question is that?”
Papelbon: “Some guys want to stay on a losing team? That’s mind-boggling to me. I think that’s a no-brainer (to want to leave).”
The same trait that captured Phillies fans hearts when they were winning may now be the reason for the release of the star reliever: his loud mouth. After a victory against the Brewers in which Papelbon closed out an excellent outing by starter Roberto Hernandez, he spoke at a controversial press conference that had Philadelphia buzzing.
He was asked some questions about his near future with the team by the media. Papelbon’s response solidified that he will be traded at some point this season. He stated that he likes the direction the young bullpen is headed, but he wants to play for a winner.
The real problem plaguing this team that Jonathan is not very pleased with is not the pitching it is mustering up enough offense to help these pitchers. They are 13-1 when scoring 4 or more and have dropped 27 of 29 when scoring three runs or less. Pitching for a contender come September is obviously the goal for all pitchers so he can’t be blamed in that sense and he has every right to make that choice.
On the other hand, fans didn’t take too kindly to his remarks referring to teammates Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley potentially wanting to stick around. As players who have stuck with the team through the wins and the losses, the closer, who has only been with the team for three years calling them knuckleheads for sticking around, doesn’t come off too well.
The ninth inning has always been known to be the toughest three outs of the game. If you look at each of the recent championship teams, a common theme is the anchor they have all had at the back of their bullpen. A big reason why stud closers are much sought after and hard to come by over the long haul.
The problem seems to be that Papelbon thinks he is a hotter commodity than he actually is. Though he had posted very solid numbers this year, he is clearly a shell of what he once was in Boston. And with the success and youth of the Phillies pen this year, they should have no problems finding a new closer. The problem will be the experience. When things get tight it’s always nice to have someone who’s composed because they’ve been there before and while this team has an abundance of young, talented arms in relief, they do not have that guy who’s been in that situation.
This presents the question: if or when they do pull the trigger on a potential Papelbon deal, what (if anything) can they get from him? The Phillies clearly don’t seem to be a playoff contender this season being 10 games under .500 but Lord knows if there is any glimmer of hope, Ruben Amaro Jr. will be buying come the trade deadline.
Despite all of the struggles in the first half of the season, the Phillies just walked out of Milwaukee sweeping the best team in the National League, a series in which Papelbon would have become the first closer in 10 years to collect four saves in a four-game sweep (Last was Joe Nathan, 2004) if game 4 wouldn’t have ended up being so lopsided. They are now headed home to play the 1st place Washington Nationals. If they somehow turn it around at home where they haven’t experienced much success and run the table against the Nationals they can go into the all star break still somewhat in it with Cliff Lee ready to return. Based on Ruben Amaro’s track record, he would be looking to add and make a run, rather than subtract and build for the future.
It had been speculated about that Amaro doesn’t know how to play the role of a seller, so he will likely keep buying until he is chased out of Philadelphia, sticking with his core guys that. The only problem with that is the ship already has a multitude of holes in it and it is sinking fast. Many great baseball minds argue that they are just pushing back their future success by riding it out with this group.
Papelbon is arguably the top arm on the market when it comes to big game experience and success that he has had with an era hovering around 2 and close to 200 strikeouts in his 3 year stint with the phils. However he is owed $13 million in 2015 and has another $13 million option the following year, which puts him in a completely different stratosphere then the other bullpen arms on the market as far as owed money. Additionally, his questionable attitude at times and rising age may result in a lot of teams turning away from Papelbon.
The first potential scenario would be the rich getting richer with a team like the Dodgers, Angels or Tigers opening up their wallets once again and putting his contract on their book. The second scenario would be a smaller market team in dire need of a solid righty in the pen like the Orioles or Athletics spending whatever money they can scavenge up and going all in this season.
Long story short, per Ryan Lawrence of the Phils media, Papelbon wants out of Philly by the trade deadline. He would accept an offer to a contender in a heart beat and it seems like we ALL feel the same way. No one associated with this team has much of an argument as to why they should keep him on board.
[Photo: ESPN]
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