Philadelphia Phillies land Jonathan Papelbon from Boston Red Sox – MLB Update
After averaging almost 36 saves for the Boston Red Sox over the last six seasons, Jonathan Papelbon has successfully reached a four-year 50-million-dollar deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, pending a physical in the coming days.
Phillies’ general manager has expressed his desire of grabbing a top-quality closer form the free agent market and Papelbon’s signing ensures the same for the ballclub. The contract, however, will not become official unless the closer clears a fitness test,
which is a formality.
Papelbon replaces Ryan Madson as Philadelphia’s closer for the next season and it remains to be seen as to where the latter signs. Madson helped the Phillies to the 2008 World Series crown and is now testing waters in the free agent market. There is a possibility
that the Red Sox might sign him up as a replacement for Papelbon, who now enjoys the most lucrative contract for a reliever in the history of Major League Baseball.
There is a possibility that Madson might be acquired by National League East rivals Washington Nationals, who have clarified their intent of going the extra mile in a bid to strengthen the roster for the next season. Furthermore, the Nationals want to instil
stability in the bull-pen and Madson, at 31, might just be the perfect choice for Washington.
The Nationals are not reluctant in giving a long-term lucrative contract and after bagging 32 saves this past season, Madson will be looking to get something similar if he decides to move to the Nationals, who finished strongly in 2011 after a lacklustre
first-half of the regular season.
The Phillies have the best starting rotation on the circuit and a quality closer will just be a perfect blend to add consistency to the bull-pen. Highlighting the importance of a closer, Phillies’ general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said, “If we don’t stop
games that we’re supposed to win with our staff, then it’s going to be troublesome and that is something that we need to shore up.”
There are still no comments as to why the Phillies did not re-sign Madson, who is equally talented and vigorous as Papelbon. However, it remains to be seen how this move materialises when the team takes field in 2012.
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