According to Jon Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies have discussed an inter-division trade that would send 11-year veteran closer Jonathan Papelbon to the nation's capital.
#Nationals have had trade talks with the #Phillies about Jonathan Papelbon, sources tell @Ken_Rosenthal and me. @FOXSports
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 25, 2015
Rosenthal added that Washington is 'reluctant to add significant payroll in-season'. However, with it being widely known that the Phillies are willingly to eat most of Papelbon's remaining salary, both teams would appear to be a fit, per Rosenthal.
Papelbon's $13 million option for 2016 will vest if he finishes just 14 more games this season. Any team interested in acquiring Papelbon will want him throw in a similar role, thus the necessity for the Phillies to eat some of his remaining contract, as the option will surely vest.
The six-time All-Star's 2015 salary is also $13 million, although it is not known how much is still owed to him.
Native to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Papelbon is 17-for-17 in save opportunities this season, having allowed just seven eared runs in 39.2 innings and 37 appearances out of the bullpen.
Phillies' CSNPhilly.com insider, Jim Salisbury, stresses that Papelbon will not waive his no-trade clause unless he is the closer.
Re: Wash reported interest in Pap (@Ken_Rosenthal). Talked to him about that today. Phils have not approached him. Won't go unless he closes
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyCSN) July 25, 2015
On May 13, Papelbon became the all-time Phillies saves leader. In the process, he became just the second player in major league baseball history to lead two franchises in the category.
Trading within the division is not often seen, although the Mets and Braves just completed a trade late Friday evening that sent infielders Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe to the Big Apple. Perhaps the Nationals and Phillies can work out a trade as well, as the non-waiver trade deadline is now just six days away.
Papelbon currently ranks 12th place all-time in major league history in saves (342). Last Monday, July 20 against the Tampa Bay Rays, he tied Hall-of-Famer Rollie Fingers in the category.
Wednesday morning, former Phillies pitching coach Joe Kerrigan told 97.5 The Fanatic he doubts any trade involving the closer will get completed:
"What I hear, he’s almost untouchable. Nobody is going to go near him from what I hear. He’s just that kind of personality that can implode a whole clubhouse."
The Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, are among the other recently-named teams tied to Papelbon trade rumors.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
