The Washington Nationals might have a hard time finding suitors for closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Papelbon has been the subject of trade speculation since about the time he choked Bryce Harper in the Nationals’ dugout toward the end of the regular season, but CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman wrote last week in his “Inside Baseball” column that Washington has a problem if it wants to deal the right-hander.
“You can’t trade him. He’s untradeable,” an executive told Heyman.
This obviously complicates matters for the Nationals, who reportedly are opening to trading both Papelbon and fellow late-inning reliever Drew Storen. Papelbon replaced Storen as Washington’s closer at the end of July after coming over in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Papelbon, a six-time All-Star, saved 24 games and posted a 2.13 ERA in 59 appearances split between Philadelphia and Washington in 2015. The 35-year-old is under contract for $11 million in 2016.
Thumbnail photo via Brad Mills/USA TODAY Sports Images
