The Philadelphia Phillies, the last-place team in the National League East, are the biggest hub of veteran talent for contending clubs in MLB this season. Right now, rumors are heating up about a possible trade involving closer Jonathan Papelbon, once again having a stellar season despite a losing environment.
Papelbon is 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA and 0.92 WHIP as well as 12 saves in as many chances. He has also experienced a big spike in his strikeouts per nine rates, jumping from 8.55 in 2014 to 10.88 this season.
According to reports, the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs are both showing interest in acquiring Papelbon.
Here is the story on Papelbon:The Philadelphia Phillies are ready to trade closer Jonathan Papelbon. They are willing...
Posted by Ken Rosenthal on Wednesday, June 10, 2015
The Blue Jays' interest comes as no surprise. They were among the leading candidates to trade for Papelbon before the season began, and have already had some turnover in the role. They began 2015 with Brett Cecil as the closer, then handed the job to rookie Miguel Castro, who faltered after some initial success and was eventually sent back down to Triple-A. Cecil has reclaimed the role, but his low save totals and high FIP indicate his success has a large component of luck.
The Cubs are also in flux in the late innings. Hector Rondon has been ceded control of the role despite a 3-0 record and 2.96 ERA; he has 10 saves on the season, but a 1.23 WHIP and three blown saves have weakened manager Joe Maddon's confidence. Rondon now shares the job with Pedro Strop and Jason Motte. All three have put up passable-if not spectacular- numbers, but adding Papelbon to solidify the bullpen would give Chicago one of MLB's elite relief crews.
The Cubs are less likely to trade for Papelbon than the Blue Jays based on the recent signing of free agent ex-closer Rafael Soriano, but Papelbon recently said that Toronto interests him.
"Yes, Toronto interests me - if it interests (Phillies general manager) Ruben (Amaro Jr.)," Papelbon said this spring. "I know some of the guys on their coaching staff. They're a good team. If Ruben can do a deal with them, I'd be interested."
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