Papelbon's price: $50,000,058
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Papelbon's price: $50,000,058
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
MILWAUKEE — Turns out Jonathan Papelbon's deal was not for $50 million.
The Phillies have officially signed their new closer for four years and $50,000,058. There is a vesting option for a fifth year, and Papelbon will be introduced to reporters in Philadelphia later this afternoon alongside Ruben Amaro Jr. and Charlie Manuel.
The total possible value of the deal, according to an industry source, is $63,000,058. Papelbon's vesting option for 2016 is worth $13 million. It will vest if Papelbon finishes 55 games in 2015 or a total of 100 games from 2014-15. That is games finished, not games saved.
Papelbon will wear No. 58, last worn by Antonio Bastardo.
He's an eccentric one that Papelbon. Some Boston writers have said that the closer often calls himself "Cinco Ocho." But no, he has yet to legally change his name.
"We are really pleased to bring Jonathan to Philadelphia," Amaro said in a statement. "He is among the elite closers in the game and someone who clearly has a passion to win."
Marc Narducci will have more from the press conference at Citizens Bank Park later.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
I hope Bastardo gets a bit of that $ for the uni #. Of course, if he gets Boras to negotiate with the Phillies for giving up the number, he'll probably end up with no number on his Iron Pigs shirt.— calm weather- Hey, I wanted Madson too but when your Uberagent leaks details at the 11th hour to squeeze us and the other teams, and Amaro knows he absolutely must protect his world-class starters on a team with questionable offense -- we get Papelbon. Pap is a self-obsessed, weird bird but that may change when he mets Roy, Cliff, Cole and the other boys. In a clubhouse that's a bit more secure than Hooters Inside Fenway. BTW, have you watched Narducci? He makes Papelbon look humble.— eman
- My favorite, other than Tug, was Bedrock.
What happened to Bastardo? Or did he just cede the number to Cinco Ocho. That's a goodone, making fun of ocho cinco can be a full time job.— Eephus
