Phillies Have Had Recent Papelbon Talks With Blue Jays, Cubs

[pickoff22]

Per MLBTR - move if needed:

 

By Steve Adams [June 10, 2015 at 5:57pm CDT]

 

The Phillies “are ready” to trade Jonathan Papelbon and have had recent discussions with the Cubs and Blue Jays regarding the five-time All-Star, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. However, there’s currently nothing close, and talks between the Phillies and both of those teams are at an impasse, per Rosenthal.

 

The Phillies are willing to pay a significant portion of Papelbon’s contract if it means receiving better prospects, and since speaking with the Blue Jays last week, they’ve increased their scouting of Toronto’s minor league affiliates. The Blue Jays are on Papelbon’s no-trade list, though Papelbon said months ago that he would have interest in pitching for Toronto. The Jays are currently one game above .500 and just three games back in the AL East, despite the fact that they’ve endured bullpen struggles nearly all season.

 

As for the Cubs, their front office knows Papelbon well. Both president Theo Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer worked for the Red Sox when Papelbon was drafted, and each has a respect for his work ethic despite his somewhat abrasive personality. The Cubs aren’t committed to Hector Rondon as the team’s closer and are trying to add multiple late-inning alternatives, hence their recent signing of Rafael Soriano.

 

Rosenthal hears that the Phillies prefer to deal with the Blue Jays as opposed to the Cubs. I’d imagine that moving Papelbon to Toronto could require the Phils to eat more cash, as Toronto has more budgetary constraints. They’re said to have between $5MM and $8MM to make in-season additions, though Papelbon is earning $13MM this season, of which $8.3MM remains. It seems unlikely that the Blue Jays would want to place all their eggs in this one basket by spending all of the money they have left on Papelbon’s salary. Additionally, Papelbon’s $13MM vesting option has to be a consideration, as if he were inserted into the ninth inning in Toronto, he’d almost certainly reach the 48 games finished needed to lock in that final year.

[baubau]

If AA trades Norris for Pap..

 

[jays4life19]

He's having a pretty good year. Great PD stats. But...no thanks.

[Deadpool]

I will not cheer for Pigf***er McGee.

[glory]

If Norris is going to the Phillies, then Hamels better be coming to the Jays along with Papeldouche. No way a 13mil closer in his mid-30's is worth trading your best pitching prospect.

 

Maybe that's why Boyd is still in New Hampshire. Pad those stats.

[Boxcar]

He's having a pretty good year. Great PD stats. But...no thanks.

 

Why not? As long as the price isn't too high I say go for it. I hate that guy but the Jays becoming a better team is more important than my personal issues with cheering for Pigf***er McGee.

[GD]

If Norris is going to the Phillies, then Hamels better be coming to the Jays along with Papeldouche. No way a 13mil closer in his mid-30's is worth trading your best pitching prospect.

 

Maybe that's why Boyd is still in New Hampshire. Pad those stats.

 

Boyd got promoted today!

[glory]

Yeah, if the Phils are eating salary and the Jays are not giving up a top prospect, then go for it. We've had to cheer for Lawrie and JPA for so many years. At least Paps might actually help us win once in a while.

[CJ-Freeway]

If they eatting a ton of salary I'm very interested.

 

I would say the opposite. If we eat a little more salary but give less prospects-- that would be good IMO. Don't wanna give up too much prospects (See: Dickey Trade)

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Dickey Thole norris castro Alford for pap and hamels!

 

Close? Need more? Do it? What?

[guylaroche5]

I'd give some midlevel prospects for a discounted pigf***er, git err done AA

[HERPDERP]

Would you do Boyd for Papelbon? we got SP depth but Boyd can be a useful reliever.

[flafson]

I think it has to include Hamels to make sense...

[RealAccountant]

A thousand times yes.

 

We need to add

[flafson]

A thousand times yes.

 

We need to add

 

Not sure about thousand times but we do need a top reliever and we could probably use an ace in the rotation.

Options in the trade market aren't that great right now, it's either Phillies or you gotta be creative.

[Mikeleelop]

Dickey Thole norris castro Alford for pap and hamels!

 

Close? Need more? Do it? What?

 

Teams don't take crap like dickey

[bendera3]

Teams don't take crap like dickey

 

Actually Dickey would probably be the best piece that RAJ has gotten when trading away his star players.

[ScientificReason]

f*** PAP get me a starter AA do it.

[z3r0s]

Hammel and Pap for Norris+. It would suck to give up Dan, but that is exactly what our team needs.

 

Stupid NTC's

[ScientificReason]

Hammel and Pap for Norris+. It would suck to give up Dan, but that is exactly what our team needs.

 

Stupid NTC's

 

You know, I like norris, but with hutch, stroman, Sanchez, and some other arms we have some good young depth in the ORG, I might be OK with dealing Norris if it means a guy like Hamels. Come at me bros!!

[Angrioter]

Cecil has not recorded a save since May 4.

[z3r0s]

The thing about Hamels (f***ed up the name in my last post) is that he comes with some control. Maybe not the best years, but control. Easier to swallow given we will be paying the rest of our rotation peanuts over the period.

[baubau]

You know, I like norris, but with hutch, stroman, Sanchez, and some other arms we have some good young depth in the ORG, I might be OK with dealing Norris if it means a guy like Hamels. Come at me bros!!

 

I don't think anyone would or should argue Norris+ for someone like Hamels. Norris for Paps however..

Also, if you are happy with the arms/depth, why trade for Hamels? Go after CarGo.

[ScientificReason]

I don't think anyone would or should argue Norris+ for someone like Hamels. Norris for Paps however..

Also, if you are happy with the arms/depth, why trade for Hamels? Go after CarGo.

 

Be happy with the depth if we trade an arm for one, don't want to trade an arm for a non pitcher.

[reedjohnsonfan]

I don't think anyone would or should argue Norris+ for someone like Hamels. Norris for Paps however..

Also, if you are happy with the arms/depth, why trade for Hamels? Go after CarGo.

 

A lot of teams will be after Carlos Gomez. I actually think an interesting trade target is Carlos Gonzalez. He's owed quite a bit still but that might make him come cheap. Excellent player off to a poor start, although he's heating up lately.

[HERPDERP]

Give it up with Hamels already. We already know that he wouldn't waive his NTC.

[flafson]

Give it up with Hamels already. We already know that he wouldn't waive his NTC.

 

How many players say they won't do something until they do? We just never know.

[HERPDERP]

How many players say they won't do something until they do? We just never know.

 

Yeah, to be fair that Atlanta/Dodger deal was put on/off

 

But I don't see why Hamels would change his mind. Typically players who utilize their NTC ask for additional money or some other stipulation that benefits the player. Hamels has several more years on his contract so I don't know what he can ask.

 

And he doesn't have to be limited to the Jays.

[TwistedLogic]

Update:

 

http://i.gyazo.com/9245bfa696d5ee3f944f46670f9f3235.png

[ScientificReason]

Why would hamels not want to pitch for this team? We would be serious contenders with him and run support should be plenty.