A lot of things are changing in Philadelphia, but Phillies' closer Jonathan Papelbon still has yet to be traded. The right-hander has been the subject of trade rumors ever since it was clear the Phillies would not be contending and he spoke about the issue on Monday.
The Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays have been linked to Papelbon in the latest rumors, but it's likely both of those clubs wait until the deadline approaches to make a deal. Papelbon's situation is difficult because he's owed $13 million this season and another $13 million in 2016 if he finishes 48 games this year (he's finished 28 through the team's first 85 games).
Both Chicago and Toronto are in position to contend and definitely need a dependent ninth-inning arm, but acquiring Papelbon is not exactly a smooth-sailing venture. The Phillies probably want a prospect in return and it's unknown how much of Papelbon's salary (if any) they'd be willing to cover. Let's face it, paying $13 million a year for a closer is not an easy investment for a front office to swallow.
However, Papelbon has proven himself time and time again as one of the best in the game. He was selected to the All-Star team this weekend thanks to his 1.65 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 31 games (32 2/3 innings) and made it clear he wants to pitch for a contender.
"The front office knows where my heart is and where my mind is," Papelbon told Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. "And that's to be with a contending ball club. The ball is in the Phillies' court, the front office's court, or I should say Andy MacPhail's court? I haven't had the opportunity to speak with Andy. I wish I could have. And I would still like to speak with him. But for some reason that hasn't been made possible for me."
Speaking of MacPhail, the front office veteran was hired to succeed team president Pat Gillick after the season, but he'll be joining the Phillies as a consultant in the meantime. General manager Ruben Amaro has been unable to work out deals for some of the club's aging veterans - for which they have no use - and it's possible MacPhail begins to instill some of his philosophy before the trade deadline, especially because Amaro's contract expires at the end of the year and he might not return as GM.
The consensus is that the Phillies will find a suitor for Papelbon before the deadline, but they'll have slim pickings because the veteran wants to be a closer for a contender. The Cubs and Blue Jays fit the bill there, but if Chicago feels comfortable moving forward with their closer-by-committee system and if Toronto can't afford Papelbon's contract, then what?
There aren't many others that are in dire need of a closer. The Los Angeles Dodgers could move Kenley Jansen to a setup role if acquiring Papelbon is at all on their radar, but that doesn't seem very likely. Perhaps the Detroit Tigers or Texas Rangers could look to fortify the back end of their bullpens, but not much is known with just over three weeks to go before the deadline.
"While Papelbon's preferences will play a significant role in his market, he's done nothing but increase his trade value through his on-field performance this year," writes Jeff Todd of MLBTradeRumors.com. "Entering today's action, the 34-year-old owns a 1.65 ERA with 9.4 K/9 against 1.9 BB/9 - and a career-best 50.6% groundball rate - on the season."
There's no doubt the Phillies are looking to get rid of him, but it's been said Amaro's demands in the past have held up deals from being executed. Perhaps MacPhail can help with that, or maybe Papelbon's performance will speak for itself and a deal will be easier to make as the deadline get closer.
The one thing we do know is that Papelbon will not be happy if he's still in Philly after 4:00 p.m. ET on July 31.
"I would be surprised," Papelbon told Zolecki when asked about being with the Phillies next month. "Yeah, that would be a pretty valid answer.
"Yeah, yeah [I would be disappointed]. I would say so."
