Alex Anthopoulous won executive of the year in the minds of his fellow general managers. However, Ruben Amaro, Jr. really should have gotten more consideration for doing the impossible: Amaro traded Papelbon to another baseball team, getting a prospect in return and more importantly: kept Papelbon off the team in 2016. The Washington Nationals took on Papelbon and an $11 million commitment for 2016 and surely are regretting it. According to a report, Papelbon has filed a grievance against his team.
Rob Bradford of WEEI in Boston reports:
According to multiple major league sources, the former Red Sox closer has filed a grievance against Washington for failing to pay his salary during the team-imposed four-game suspension at the conclusion of the 2015 season.
Papelbon was suspended by the Nationals after engaging in a dugout altercation with teammate Bryce Harper during a Sept. 23 game against the Orioles.
According to the sources, the player’s stance is that there is no precedent of a player having his salary withdrawn after such a team-issued suspension.
Even worse: after the altercation it hardly seems like Papelbon and the Nationals could stay together.
The Nationals reportedly were looking to trade both Papelbon and incumbent closer Drew Storen, who was unhappy after losing his closer's job to Papelbon last season. There appear to be no takers for Papelbon, but perhaps that will change as the closer market becomes expensive and more barren. Earlier today, former Phillies closer Ryan Madson got three years and $22 million from the Oakland Athletics. One year of Papelbon and $11 million – or even less if the Nationals eat it – could be worth it to someone.
That is, of course, as long as it fits within Papelbon's no-trade protection.
While Papelbon has had issues in the clubhouse, his pitching performance has remained decent. Papelbon saved 24 games combined for the Phillies and Nationals in 2015. The saves total was the lowest of his career since becoming a closer in 2006. Papelbon did not blow a save until September 15, when Freddy Galvis of the Phillies hit a game-tying home run off of Papelbon. Papelbon would blow a second later in September before getting suspended for his scuffle with Bryce Harper in the Nationals dugout.
