The Milwaukee Brewers' quest for an upgrade in the bullpen once seemed like it would lead them to Philadelphia Phillies' veteran closer Jonathan Papelbon, but those plans may have gone by the wayside.
Brewers general manager Doug Melvin confirmed multiple days have passed without any progress. "It doesn't appear there's any momentum to it right now," Melvin said. "It could be revived later, I guess, but right now there's nothing happening. Whatever traction there was seems to have dissipated."
Papelbon had one of his best seasons in 2014 despite pitching for a Phillies club that endured a nightmare season and finished in the National League East cellar. In 66.1 innings Papelbon was 2-3 with a 2.04 ERA, his lowest since 2009 with the Boston Red Sox, and a 0.90 WHIP.
With talks to acquire Papelbon having ground to a halt, the Brewers may turn their attention to Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez. As the Brewers closer last year K-Rod went 5-5 with a 3.04 ERA and 44 saves, the fifth-best total in baseball.
Following up on prediction of K-Rod Part IV, #Brewers owner Mark Attanasio has had conversations with his agent, Scott Boras. Blog coming.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) January 25, 2015
"We're thinking about it," Melvin said of pursuing Rodriguez. "We haven't been given any indication what he wants."
The Brewers have two potential in-house candidates to close in Jonathan Broxton and Jim Henderson. Broxton has closing experience, and recorded seven saves last year which was split between the Cincinnati Reds and Brew Crew.
Henderson was supposed to be the closer in 2014, but a poor camp meant he was surprisingly deposed by Rodriquez who put fort a stellar season. He had an ugly 7.15 ERA and needed shoulder surgery in August.
The Brewers also could chase free agent closers Rafael Soriano (32 saves in 2014) and Casey Janssen (25 saves in 2014) as well, but Melvin was tight lipped on them.
"We'll keep that to ourselves," Melvin said. "If other teams hear you do (have interest), it lets them know and the prices go up."
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