Report: Blue Jays, Brewers talking to Phillies about Papelbon
The Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers remain engaged in trade talks with the Philadelphia Phillies about closer Jonathan Papelbon, but there are serious obstacles to any potential deal.
Papelbon is owed $13 million in 2015 and has a $13-million vesting option in 2016 that becomes guaranteed if he finishes 48 games this upcoming season, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. He has finished 50-plus games in every season since 2007, so unless he's removed from the closer's role or suffers an injury, it's a number he should be able to reach again.
The five-time All-Star also has a 17-team no-trade clause, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, which could further complicate matters.
Rosenthal adds that the Blue Jays' interest is limited, and that the team would only entertain a trade if the financial risk was minimal, meaning the Phillies would have to eat a significant amount of Papelbon's salary.
While his velocity and strikeout rates have dwindled with age, Papelbon still has something to offer and is coming off a season in which he posted a 2.04 ERA (2.53 FIP) with 39 saves. Part of his success last season was tied to an unusually low batting average on balls in play and unsustainable home run rate, but the 34-year-old has good control and has been a model of exceptional health, having never spent a day on the disabled list.
Papelbon would stand to assume the closer's role on either the Brewers or Blue Jays.