Jonathan Papelbon, the man who pitched and danced his way into Red Sox fans’ hearts, might soon move and shake his way out of Philadelphia.
According to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Phillies are trying to trade Papelbon, likely in an effort to find a cheaper closer. Papelbon has spent the last two seasons in Philadelphia after spending his first seven seasons in Boston.
Papelbon saved 29 games in 2013 for the disappointing Phillies, while also finding himself under a microscope for questioning the team’s leadership and the direction of the franchise. It was the second year of a four-year, $50 million contract that he signed with the Phillies prior to the 2012 season. Papelbon was an All-Star in his first season in Philadelphia, saving 38 games while posting a 2.44 ERA and 1.06 WHIP.
Papelbon is set to earn $13 million each of the next two seasons. He also has a $13 million option for 2016 that vests if he finishes 55 games in 2015 or 100 games between 2014 and 2015, as well as a limited no-trade clause that allows him to stipulate 12 teams to which he will approve a deal.
This isn’t the first time that Papelbon has been mentioned in trade rumors. There was talk leading up to this past season’s trade deadline that the Phillies might consider moving the five-time All-Star to shed payroll and help kickstart a rebuilding process.
Papelbon, who just turned 33, was named an All-Star in four straight seasons with the Red Sox from 2006 to 2009. The right-hander, of course, recorded the final out of the 2007 World Series, in which the Red Sox defeated the Rockies.
[tweet https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/409058011844734976 align=’center’]
[tweet https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/409058109244833792 align=’center’]
[tweet https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/409060214017916928 align=’center’]
Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.
