Jonathan Papelbon didn't come here for this. And, he won't go there for that. So, do the Phillies really have the ability to trade closer Jonathan Papelbon at all?
Joel Sherman of the New York Post had a short piece this morning about how difficult it will be for the Phillies to trade their closer, due to high financial demands. But, Papelbon has some say in what happens next as like most Phillies, a no-trade clause that allows Papelbon to block trades to 17 different teams comes into play:
And then there is this: Papelbon has a no-trade clause and has let the Phillies know he will not accept a trade to a place where he will be a setup man or in a shared closer situation. It is closing or nothing.
The reason is in the money. Papelbon's 2016 option will vest with 100 games finished in 2014 and 2015 combined, or, with 55 games finished in 2015 alone.
I suppose the Phillies could threaten to give the position to closer-in-waiting Ken Giles to help encourage him to accept a trade. Papelbon's option won't vest with a demotion in house, but with him pitching well, a demotion would cause the ire of the players union.
The Phillies are likely stuck with Papelbon.
