Papelbon coming to Phillies
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Papelbon coming to Phillies
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
Jonathan Papelbon has agreed to a four-year deal with the Phillies, according to two baseball sources.
The source said the deal was worth four years and $50 million. It was first reported by CSNPhilly.com.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. would not confirm the deal, but earlier in the day he talked about the importance of having a quality closer.
"I think it's essential that we win the games we're supposed to win because of the commitment we've made to our starting pitching overall and just our pitching in general," Amaro said. "It's important we make sure we win the games when we have a late lead."
With Madson as their closer most of last season, the Phillies were tremendous at doing just that. The Phillies had been in talks with Papelbon and earlier this week. A baseball source said the Phillies had reached a four-year, $44 million agreement with Madson, but Amaro strongly denied that any agreement had ever been made.
It's possible that Madson will now end up in Boston replacing Papelbon.
Though Papelbon is two months younger than Madson, he has been in a closer role for six seasons compared to just one for Madson.
Papelbon was 4-1 with 31 saves in 34 attempts and a 2.94 ERA last season with the Red Sox.
You can read more about Papelbon's signing in Saturday's Inquirer.
They better take care of Cole Hamels and sign him to a long term deal rather than go to salary arbitration and kiss him goodbye after this season. I hope this $50 million doesn't come back to cost the Phillies Cole (or luxury tax).— schmolik- Pipe down poser. Thanks to the Phils management for once again striving to be the best baseball team on the planet. It is much appreciated.
Next item on the bucket list for Rube is a legitimate leadoff hitter.— joe smith - Bad deal. Too many years and too much money for a reliever who gives up too many fly balls. Whatever happened to the "never sign a pitcher for longer than 3 years" rule? Oh yeah it left w/ our last WS title when Gillick retired. This deal is gonna make the extension for Lidge look good. — F. Harry Stowe
- huge signing— jamarder
- He is a dude. The real deal. — 24sDad
- Now re-sign Jimmy and let's go play ball!— rickm
- why would they pay Pappelon $ 50 million and not pay Madson less??— micconway
- Two words: Scott Boras.
Wait and see how Boras inflates Madson's salary before questioning the deal for Pappelbon. - uh oh, are we "all in" with another "dream team"???...— wvbillz
- Could be but this is the best hot stove day yet. Seeya BORAS! — 24sDad
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO- sorry but until the ink dries i will not buy into this source dribble.— Seal Rock
- Part of the charade referred to earlier today. Agreed. Let's see the ink dry - but celebrate anyway until then. Best news in a week to cure the toxins. — 24sDad
