Last week it was reported the Philadelphia Phillies were in "serious discussions" with the Milwaukee Brewers regarding a trade for closer Jonathan Papelbon. Since then, the talks have taken a step back and now the Toronto Blue Jays have entered the discussions.
According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, both the Brewers and Blue Jays are talking to the Phillies about acquiring Papelbon, but both have financial concerns, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. The right-hander is owed $13 million in 2015 and has a $13 million vesting option for 2016 that kicks in if he finishes 48 games this upcoming season.
Milwaukee and Toronto are still looking for an anchor for their bullpen even though their closers from last season were available (or still are) on the free agent market for quite some time. Francisco Rodriguez appeared in 69 games for the Brewers in 2014 and was 5-5 with a 3.04 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 73 strikeouts and 44 saves in 68 innings. As for the Blue Jays, Casey Janssen missed a good portion of the season because of injury, but still posted a 3-3 record with a 3.94 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 25 saves in 50 games (45 2/3 innings).
Rodriguez is still a free agent while Janssen signed with the Washington Nationals on Wednesday.
Rodriguez would cost much less than Papelbon, but it looks like these two clubs are trying to see how much of Papelbon's contract the Phillies would be willing to absorb in a deal. Philadelphia seems to have the upper hand too, since they can probably hold on to Papelbon and strike a deal with a club that needs bullpen help right before the trade deadline. By waiting it out, the Phillies could get what they want in return for the right-hander and may not have to pay for a large portion of his contract.
"The Phillies have yet to make a financial offer to the Brewers, according to sources," Rosenthal writes. "They are not under a mandate from ownership to trade Papelbon; they intend to make such a deal only if it is to their benefit."
Toronto was linked to Papelbon earlier in the offseason, but it was previously noted the team has only about $5 million to $7 million left to spend this offseason, so it's no wonder Rosenthal writes their "interest is extremely limited" and "would only entertain trade if financial risk was minimal." It's unclear what they define as minimal, but it's almost a foregone conclusion Papelbon's option will vest if he's playing for an AL East contender such as the Blue Jays. He'll likely cost a total of $26 million.
Papelbon, who posted a 2.04 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 39 saves in 2014, would be of significant help to a Blue Jays' bullpen that ranked 25th in ERA (4.09) this past season. However, unless Toronto gets a late approval from ownership to increase their payroll, or are willing to offer Philadelphia the prospects they want, it doesn't look like this is a realistic option for the club.
We'll be sure to update the trade talks as more news is made available.
