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.
- It is drivel, not dribble.
— phillyinsd - Why didn't they sign Madson? He was cheaper. He's been very successful for the Phillies and a Phillies type of guy. Who's the next guy they send on his way? Hopefully iyt's Rollins.— rolenfan
- Yuck! We want Madson!— LarryAW
- I like this... I live in Boston and have watched this guy pitch. In my opinion, more explosive shut down power than Ryan - 12Ks per 9IP instead of Ryan's 9Ks per 9IP. You have to wonder what Madson was really asking for if they're willing to do this for $50M— PhillyIllini
- I was hoping that we might get Papelbon or Bell if we did not resign Ryan Madson.
Let us thank Ryan for what he has done for us and wish him well.— candidly - possible part of the non signing contract --- think Amaro n phillies org have as much a bad taste of Boros in their mouths as fans still do? ha.— righty
- I love Madson! Don't like this deal too much because it doesn't make sense.— micconway
- GOD and Ruben move in mysterious ways, so saith the Lord.— phillytransplant
- Simple - Papelbon has been an elite closer for 6 years...Madson only 1. For $6 million I think that it's a good move.— Hollywood Junkie
- It looks like a Boras thing. Madson was going to sign for $44 million. Boras must have stepped in and talked him into holding out for more. It's the only explanation that is occuring to me.— Scorekeeper
- Hilarious contract. Couple this one with the Howard extension and you can see the writing on the wall- Philadelphia's window is closed and Amaro is basically a kid playing fantasy baseball.— Cody Ross
- Was kinda hoping that Billy Wagner would come back..........— bigdaddyG
- its the same amount per year as Lidge got, and that went so well, why not do it again? at $178,571.43 per inning based on 70 innings a season, what could go wrong?— jim715
- Pap isn't Lidge, no comparison — TexasYankee
- nice move. Now they just need to give chooch a 5 year deal and this team will be nothing but a bunch of aging players that can't play.— ArtieLange
