Toronto Blue Jays reliever Brett Cecil is currently sidelined due to mild rotator cuff inflammation, which could potentially be a recurring problem throughout the season. Is general manager Alex Anthopoulos figuring out a way to land Philadelphia Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon?
Cecil is projected to be Toronto's closer following back-to-back impressive campaigns as a full-time reliever. The team let closer Casey Janssen walk in free agency and he signed with the Washington Nationals, so Cecil was next in line to take the ninth inning job. However, his latest injury provides Toronto with no guarantees as far as security in the role, especially since youngsters Aaron Sanchez (22 years old) and Miguel Castro (20) are perhaps next in line.
If the Blue Jays want to win the AL East, they're going to need a veteran presence at the back-end of their bullpen.
"Can the Jays afford to arrive at the back half of the spring schedule with lingering uncertainty in the ninth inning? Sanchez at the moment is in the spring rotation, being stretched out start-by-start. That isn't expected to change, at least for the immediate future," writes Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star.
Enter Jonathan Papelbon.
The Blue Jays were in discussions with the Phillies earlier in the offseason about acquiring the veteran closer, but their payroll situation is tight and it was reported they only have between $5 million and $7 million left to spend. Papelbon is scheduled to earn $13 million in 2015 and has a $13 million vesting option for 2016 that kicks in if he finishes 48 games this year.
Papelbon said a trade to the Blue Jays would be something of interest to him, but it'll be all up to general manager Ruben Amaro to get a deal done, which isn't anything to get excited about. Amaro has stood his ground in terms of his demands for Papelbon as well as starter Cole Hamels. The Phillies were close to dealing Papelbon to the Brewers, but the talks eventually fell through because the two sides couldn't agree on player compensation going back to Philadelphia or financial coverage of Papelbon's vesting option for Milwaukee.
Papelbon finished with a 2.04 ERA, 0.905 WHIP, 63 strikeouts and 39 saves in 66 games with the lowly Phillies in 2014. The Jays' ownership may have to approve an increase in payroll to help solidify their bullpen due to Cecil's injury as well as Sanchez's current status as a starting pitcher in spring training.
Since the Phillies likely won't be contending in the next two years, they may finally have to take what they can get for Papelbon, and the Blue Jays could be their top trade partner if Cecil can't stay healthy over the next few weeks.
