UPDATE: The Phillies will send $4.5 million to the Nationals to cover Papelbon's remaining salary this season, according to Svrluga.
UPDATE: The trade is official.
Trade is official: Jonathan Papelbon dealt to #Nationals.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 29, 2015
It took long enough, but the Philadelphia Phillies finally traded closer Jonathan Papelbon - to a division rival.
The Washington Nationals agreed to a deal with the Phillies to acquire Papelbon, according to FOX Sports' Jon Morosi.
Papelbon also be taking a $2 million pay cut in 2016 and will earn a guaranteed $11 million after sacrificing his vesting option for next year, which was worth $13 million.
The Phillies received prospect right-hander Nick Pivetta from the Nationals, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.
Earlier today Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly was told by a baseball source with knowledge of the situation that "Papelbon will be traded." James Wagner of the Washington Post kept updates on the development throughout the afternoon.
That was followed up by a series of tweets:
Sources say Jonathan Papelbon trade to #Nationals still "likely" to happen, but Nats & Phillies still working through "hurdles."
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 28, 2015
The Phillies & Nationals still not done on Papelbon trade..according to Phillies source: "more hurdles than normal" in this transaction
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowden_ESPN) July 28, 2015
#Nats making progress toward acquiring Jonathan Papelbon, sources tell @washingnats. Clubs have not confirmed: https://t.co/jPZQs4VN2C
— MLB (@MLB) July 28, 2015
Source: Deal to bring Jonathan Papelbon to Nationals is nearing completion.
— Barry Svrluga (@barrysvrluga) July 28, 2015
Phillies and Nats are now at the finish line jumping through final hoop that will send Papelbon to Nationals in exchange for AA pitcher
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowden_ESPN) July 28, 2015
Last week ESPN's Jayson Stark reported that the three original top suitors for Papelbon - the Cubs, Dodgers and Blue Jays - were no longer pursuing the right-hander, which fueled speculation that the Phillies may have missed their window to move him.
Papelbon, 34, owns a 1.59 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 17 saves and 40 strikeouts in 37 games (39 2/3 innings). He'll now close for the Nationals while Drew Storen undertakes the role as setup man.
