Jonathan Papelbon warming up at Fenway Park in 2013
The Phillies have been repeatedly linked to the Boston Red Sox almost ad nauseum in Cole Hamels trade rumors. By now we know the Phillies and Red Sox have scouted each other plenty. Might they be able to make a deal for someone other than Cole Hamels? With the Red Sox scuffling in the early going without a solid closer, could the Phillies match up with the Red Sox in a bullpen trade?
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that the Phillies have suggested that Jonathan Papelbon would fit back with the Red Sox:
But let’s discuss the 10-9 Red Sox, who had spent 18 of the first 20 days of the season in first place before Tampa Bay knocked them off the top with a win against Toronto to improve to 11-8.
Right now, and it may change, we’re not sure the Red Sox have a closer they can depend on. Koji Uehara’s velocity is down about 3 miles per hour across the board with his splitter and fastball. The Phillies are trying to hook the Red Sox on bringing back Jonathan Papelbon.
The Red Sox traded their relief ace Andrew Miller to the Baltimore Orioles last season. While the return was a nice prospect in Eduardo Rodriguez, Miller signed with the New York Yankees and is pitching like the relief ace the team desperately needs.
This offseason the Red Sox gave Uehara a two-year contract at 39 years old. Almost immediately Uehara got hurt, and now that he has returned to the team, his velocity has diminished. If the Red Sox are serious about contending in 2015, they need to address this glaring weakness.
One must wonder if Papelbon had such a trade in mind when he told the Boston Globe,
“The Red Sox are a part of who I am, man,” Papelbon said. “I don’t really feel much like a Phillie.
“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.”
Papelbon returned to Boston with the Phillies for the first time Memorial Day weekend 2013. During a pre-game video montage showing Papelbon Red Sox highlights, Red Sox fans cheered for him, as he tipped his cap. Once the game began, though, Papelbon was the enemy. However, if fans could cheer for Papelbon that day in May, then they might be willing to take him back again.
