The Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox opened the 2015 season with the MLB's first interleague series. Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon faced his former team and apparently had some feelings of nostalgia. Let the trade rumors begin - again.
Philadelphia has had Papelbon on the trading block for much of the offseason, but failed to reach deals with the Milwaukee Brewers or Toronto Blue Jays, both of whom were interested in acquiring the right-hander. Papelbon is owed $13 million in 2015 and will earn an additional $13 million in 2016 if he finishes 48 games this year.
Philadelphia was concerned about player compensation coming back for Papelbon on top of relieving themselves of his entire contract, but that may change after the closer's comments on Wednesday.
"The Red Sox are a part of who I am, man. I don't really feel much like a Phillie," he told Julian Benbow of the Boston Globe.
"Boston's where I was born and raised. It's kind of like that, you know. It's the city you were born and raised in.
"It's been a tough transition over here. I'm not going to lie. It's been tough. Tough getting used to the way it is here. It's two totally different organizations.
"The way they're ran, the way they're coached, the players that are on them. Two totally different styles of baseball. I don't know if I can honestly tell you if I'm even used to it yet."
Rumors suggested earlier this week that it's "highly unlikely" the Red Sox would make a move for their former closer even with Koji Uehara on the shelf, so Boston doesn't seem as if they'll answer Papelbon's yearning. The Brewers are also probably out of the hunt because they signed Francisco Rodriguez after their trade talks with the Phillies fell through.
However, the Blue Jays still remain a candidate, especially after closer Brett Cecil blew a save and got the loss on Wednesday night against the New York Yankees. Cecil was brought in with the bases loaded, but let in a run on a wild pitch against the first batter he faced. He then hit a batter and gave up an RBI single before being pulled. Toronto lost 4-3.
The left-hander was dealing with some shoulder issues during spring training, which led many to believe the club would make a move for Papelbon. Blue Jays general manager was in attendance for one of Papelbon's outings during the spring, further indicating the team was keeping tabs on him.
Papelbon seemingly wants out of Philly, after stating earlier in the offseason he would be interested in a trade to Toronto and then issuing his latest statements about not feeling much like a part of the team. Although he's been one of the top closer's in the game throughout his career, the Phillies will have a tough time finding a suitor to take on a 34-year-old reliever with a potential two-year, $26 million commitment.
Based on what we've seen from the Los Angeles Dodgers' decimated bullpen, it wouldn't be too surprising if they made a move for the veteran.
We'll see if general manager Ruben Amaro has anything up his sleeve early on in the season.
