After much speculation, much trade talk, and even some demands out of his mouth, the Philadelphia Phillies have finally traded Jonathan Papelbon. He has waived his no-trade protection to accept a trade to the division-rival Washington Nationals, according to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports.
In return, the Phillies will receive 22-year-old right hander Nick Pivetta, according to Phillies' MLB.com beat writer Todd Zolecki.
Source: the Phillies will receive Double-A right-hander Nick Pivetta for Jonathan Papelbon.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) July 28, 2015
Pivetta, drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 amateur draft, was 7-6 in the Nationals' minor league system this year with a 3.02 ERA in 17 starts and 18 appearances overall.
Early on Tuesday, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported that the Phillies were in in-depth discussions to send their closer to nation's capital. Later Tuesday, the deal came through and was finalized.
Following Morosi's report, Rosenthal added that Papelbon will be 'taking millions less' to leave Philadelphia. Also, under terms of the trade agreement, Papelbon will be the definite closer for the Nationals, and will be signed for next season.
Papelbon needed 24 more Gs finished to trigger $13M '16 opt By guaranteeing some portion of that, less pressure to use Pap to close all time
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 28, 2015
Papelbon signed a four-year, $50,000,058 deal with the Phillies prior to the 2012 season that also included a $13 million vesting option. He has been stellar as a closer during his time in Philadelphia, saving no fewer than 29 games for the Phillies during his three full seasons, all with an earned run average lower than 3.00 each year.
Native to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the six-time All-Star and two-time World Series Champion with the Boston Red Sox was 17-for-17 in save opportunities this season, having allowed just seven earned runs in 39.2 innings.
Down in Washington, Papelbon will take over the closer role for right hander Drew Storen, who was 29-for-31 in save opportunities this season with a 1.73 ERA. Likewise, 24-year-old right hander Ken Giles is expected to assume the role in Philadelphia. He has one career save in four opportunities.
Prior to Opening Day this season against the Red Sox, Giles told NJ Advance Media that he was 'not even looking that far forward' when asked of the possibility of being a future closer. He later added, "I'm just trying to take one step at a time, one day at a time, one batter at a time."
At 342 career saves, Papelbon ranks 12th in Major League Baseball history, ones save ahead of Hall of Famer and 17-year veteran, Rollie Fingers. On May 13, he became the Phillies' all-time leader in saves, passing Jose Mesa who held the record for over a decade.
The Nationals face the Phillies next on September 14-16 for a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
