With the MLB non-waiver trade deadline approaching on July 31, Jonathan Papelbon took some time to once again request a trade out of Philadelphia and to a contender.
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The Phillies closer, who has never been shy about expressing his desires in the past, said he has made it clear he wants to be moved to a contending team and that he'd be "surprised" if he was still on the team by the deadline.
"I would be surprised [if I wasn't traded]," Papelbon said Monday, according to ESPN. "Yeah, that would be a pretty valid answer. ... I don't make these decisions. The front office knows where my heart is and where my mind is. And that's to be with a contending ballclub. The ball is in their court, so to speak."
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Papelbon was named to the All-Star Game for the sixth time in his career on Monday as he'll suit up for the National League All-Stars next Tuesday at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
He'll be the lone representative of last-place Philadelphia at the Midsummer Classic. What jersey he dons by July 31 remains to be seen.
Papelbon will activate a $13 million player option for next year's campaign if he plays in just 20 more games this season, but he said he'd be disappointed if that player option wasn't for a contending team.
"I'm going to whoever wants me the most and whoever feels like I can help them the best," Papelbon said. "I think everybody knows where I'm at. I've always been straightforward that I want to go play for a contender, and I'm not going to shy away from it. I feel like that's my right and my prerogative to have that opportunity and, you know, it's in their hands. The ball's in their court. I guess that's kind of it."
Just one week shy from the All-Star Game, the Phillies are an MLB-worst 28-57 and 19 games behind the first-place Washington Nationals in the National League East.
Papelbon, 34, is in his fourth year with the club and owns a 1-1 record with a 1.65 ERA and 14 saves.
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