At the risk of planting the seeds for another meltdown on here in a few weeks (in the event that the Jays don't trade for him), here's Paul Beeston confirming the Jays interest in Papelbon:
Paul Beeston Speaks on Jonathan Papelbon Rumours
Ian Hunter, June 11, 2015
All it took was one report by Ken Rosenthal late yesterday, and now the Jonathan Papelbon
rumours have blown up and it's a topic that's dominated Toronto Blue Jays coverage in the
past 24 hours.
While Alex Anthopoulos is usually very reluctant to comment on dealing with certain
players, reporters wisely went to speak to the team's president, who is usually more than
willing to give reporters a few noteworthy quotes.
Paul Beeston spoke to TSN at the Jays Care Golf Tournament earlier today and essentially
confirmed the team's interest in Jonathan Papelbon.
"I think it would show everybody that we're serious. It would inject a whole bunch
of energy and you're taking a player who's been one of the premier closers in the
game, so I think it makes a statement.
I'm not even going to get involved in what the price of it is. Let's not just worry
about Papelbon either. There's a lot of talks going on in a lot of different areas.
Obviously he's one that everybody's speculating on.
Whether it's (Papelbon) or it's somebody else, we're going to work at it until we get
it."
So there's Beeston kind of confirming that the Blue Jays and Phillies are in discussion for
Jonathan Papelbon. Or at the very least, the Jays are active on the trade or free agent
front when it comes to relief pitchers.
Paul Beeston also addressed whether or not the Blue Jays would be buyers prior to the
trade deadline, and essentially said the club owes to to the players, fans and owners to
improve the team. Can't argue with him, there!
"We have a responsibility not only to the fans and the owners, but a responsibility
to the 25 players to improve the team. We're going to try our best to do that sooner
rather than later, but we're going to work at it until we get it right."
It's quite interesting that both Paul Beeston and Alex Anthopoulos have been quite candid
in recent weeks when it comes to adding potential pieces to the team.
This season, the front office has been quite transparent about the team's intentions.
Beeston's impending departure and Anthopoulos' job potentially being in jeopardy likely
has a lot to do with it.