Jonathan Papelbon is exactly at the midway point (24 games finished) to fulfill his $13 million vesting option for next season. He's been lights out this year and a number of MLB teams are apparently interested in acquiring him before the trade deadline.
Recent rumors found that the Philadelphia Phillies were willing to pay down more of Papelbon's contract to entice others to make a trade for him, but it has also helped that the right-hander owns a 1.01 ERA and 0.975 WHIP with 13 saves in 26 2/3 innings this season.
The Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays have been the top two clubs linked to Papelbon, but the interest is expanding after his outing against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday.
A source told FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal that there was a heavy scouting presence for Papelbon at yesterday's game between the Phillies and Baltimore Orioles. The closer averaged 94.1 mph on his fastball during the nine-pitch save and now other teams besides the Cubs and Blue Jays are contacting the Phillies about a trade.
However, the Blue Jays have been doing their due diligence on Papelbon and look as if they remain a top threat to land him.
"The Jays and Phillies have been talking about a Papelbon deal since last winter and the Jays remain interested," writes Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly. "They have had a high-ranking scout trailing the Phillies for the last 10 games. The scout finally got to see Papelbon in a save situation Thursday."
While Papelbon said in the offseason he would be interested in a trade to Toronto, he perhaps now has more options before the deadline. Toronto also has a tight payroll situation and they have much work to do if they want to work out a deal with Philadelphia.
"Meanwhile, Papelbon is said by people around the team interested in going to any contender and willing to waive his 17-team no-trade clause to leave for the Cubs or Blue Jays," writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. "One person said he believed Papelbon preferred Chicago, but is ready to move on from what's been a wholly dissatisfying stay in Philly, considering his competitive bent (he missed the golden era). Papelbon is said to have talked hopefully of a trade to Toronto in recent days. But word is, despite Papelbon's sterling 1.01 ERA and the Jays' apparent need, the Jays are more focused on a starter and turned off by Papelbon's $13-million vesting option for next year. The Jays are also apparently insistent on the Phillies significantly paying down the money left while declining to offer much in the way of prospect value."
At this point it's unknown who the other interested teams are, but given the league-wide bullpen issues it's no surprise the list of suitors for Papelbon has grown. Perhaps more clubs are finally getting beyond the dollar amount he's owed and realize that at the end of the day it's hard to put a price tag on a pitcher who's going to hold a late-inning lead and nearly guarantee a win almost every time.
We'll be keeping updates once more is known.
