The Philadelphia Phillies may have a taker for disgruntled closer Jonathan Papelbon, and it's a club that seems stacked already with late-inning arms. According to reports, the Chicago Cubs are interested in acquiring the All-Star.
Papelbon, 34, has been stellar for the Phillies this year. He has recorded 16 saves in as many chances, poster a 1.72 ERA and 0.98 WHIP, and struck out 38 batters in 36.2 innings of work. He's also been prickly throughout his career, and very vocal in Philadelphia about wanting to be dealt. Recently, he reportedly said the Phillies need to "S**t or get off the pot" regarding trading him.
Papelbon would be joining a crowded bullpen that already featured Hector Rondon, the team's saves leader with 12, flamethrower Pedro Strop, and recently added ex-closer Rafael Soriano. Soriano recorded 32 saves for the Washington Nationals last season but was removed from the role in the second half of the season amid an implosion in his performance. The Cubs also have Jason Motte in the 'pen, a World Series winning closer with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Chicago's bullpen has been slightly above average per Baseball-Reference.com's WAR statistics, but they share a division with the Cardinals (3.6 bullpen WAR) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1.6 WAR) have them beat. Papelbon would be a significant lift based off his numbers in Philadelphia, where his opportunities are limited by playing for MLB's worst club.
The main impediment to acquiring Papelbon is his price tag. Papelbon makes $13 million this year and next, and he will be 35 by Opening Day 2016. So far the Phillies' have been asking teams to either cough up high-end prospects in exchange for paying less of Papelbon's contract, or vice versa. So far, the Phillies haven't budged enough in either direction for potential suitors to strike a deal on either Papelbon or left-handed ace Cole Hamels.
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