Report: Papelbon plans to decide on new team in 24 hours
It doesn't look like Jonathan Papelbon will be unemployed for long.
The right-hander is drawing "strong interest" from across the league and will make a decision on where to play in the next 24 hours, reports WEEI.com's Rob Bradford.
Multiple teams have inquired about the services of the 35-year-old, who was granted his release from the Washington Nationals on Aug. 13 after he was replaced as the team's closer by Mark Melancon.
The battle-tested veteran is in the midst of the worst season of his career, posting the highest ERA (4.37) and opposing team's batting average allowed (.270) since he entered the big leagues in 2005. His average fastball velocity has also dropped to 90.9 mph, while his walk rate has shot up to an unhealthy 3.6 per nine innings.
His time in Washington was also littered with issues, most notably a dugout altercation with reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper, and an intentional plunking of Baltimore Orioles superstar Manny Machado.
Across his 12 seasons of major-league ball, Papelbon has recorded 368 saves in 417 chances, to go along with an ERA of 2.44.
The six-time All-Star also won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2007.
Washington is on the hook for the entirety of the $13 million in salary owed to Papelbon.