With the Philadelphia Phillies currently placed in the National League East cellar, they will likely be sellers at the trade deadline and closer Jonathan Papelbon made no bones about his willingness to be dealt to a contender at the MLB trade deadline should the situation present itself.
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Papelbon picked up his third save in three nights in the Phillies' 4-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on Wednesday for his 22nd save of the season but after the game he made no secret of the fact that he wouldn't mind collecting saves in another uniform by the July 31 MLB trade deadline.
"Some guys want to stay on a losing team?" he asked when asked about a potential trade, according to MLB.com. "That's mind-boggling to me."
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When asked if he'd be willing to go as soon as a contender comes calling, Papelbon gave the impression he wouldn't hesitate to leave Philadelphia behind.
"Yeah," he said when asked about being moved to a contender. "I think that's a no-brainer."
Papelbon, whom the Phillies tried to move at last year's trade deadline and prior to the 2014 season, said he isn't sure if the Phillies will end up striking a deal to move him to another team.
"I don't have that crystal eight-ball," he said.
The closer's limited no-trade clause and contract could be trouble for Philadelphia in its search to find a potential trade partner. Papelbon has about $19.5 million left on his four-year $50 million contract, which has $6.5 million this year and $13 million next season left on it.
Papelbon also has an option for 2016 that automatically vests if he finishes 55 games in 2015 or 100 games in 2014-15 and is not on the disabled list at the end of 2015 with an elbow or shoulder injury
Papelbon, who reportedly nodded when asked if he'd be willing to go to the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers, admitted that while he wants to go elsewhere, it'd be bitter sweet to leave the City of Brotherly Love behind.
"Yes and no," Papelbon said, when asked if he hopes to go to a contending team. "You know, I came here for a reason ... and I say that because I'm with a group of guys in the bullpen that can do very special things in the future. I've been waiting for that, you know what I mean? It's fun to be a part of that, it really is. We are there finally with our bullpen. So that aspect of it would kind of suck to leave. But at the same time, winning is the cure-all of cure-alls."
Philadelphia is stuck in last place in the NL East, 10 games behind the division-leading Washington Nationals and 9.5 games out of a Wild-Card spot, so they will likely be looking to sell come July 31.
Papelbon has made 37 appearances this season and is 2-1 with a 1.24 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP while converting 22 of 24 save opportunities. If the Phillies do in fact move him, he could prove to be a valuable asset to whatever team he ends up with.
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