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Papelbon is lone Phillie selected to All-Star Game

LOS ANGELES - In what could be one of his final appearances in a Phillies uniform, Jonathan Papelbon will be on the National League roster for the All-Star Game next Tuesday night in Cincinnati.

(Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)
(Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)Read more

LOS ANGELES - In what could be one of his final appearances in a Phillies uniform, Jonathan Papelbon will be on the National League roster for the All-Star Game next Tuesday night in Cincinnati.

Even the 34-year-old closer admitted Monday he would be surprised - and disappointed, too - if he isn't dealt before the July 31 trade deadline.

"I think everybody knows where I'm at," he said on the day he learned of his all-star selection. "It's no secret. I've always been straightforward that I want to go play for a contender, and I'm not going to shy away from that. I feel like that's my right and that's my prerogative to have that opportunity and, you know, it's in [the front office's] hands. The ball's in their court."

There is no question Papelbon would be a valuable piece for a contending team in need of an upgrade at closer. The sticking point in any potential trade has always been the money. Even after the trade deadline, Papelbon will still be owed a shade more than $4.5 million for the rest of the season. His $13 million option for next season vests with 20 more games finished.

Papelbon, who can block a trade to 17 teams, could require his 2016 option be picked up in return for waiving his no-trade rights. He deferred that matter to his agents. He did reaffirm his desire to continue to close, wherever he goes. He declined to offer any an ideal destinations.

"I just think for me there are no doors closed right now and I'm going to do what's best for me and my family and my future and that's all I can do," he said. "I can't do anything else. That's really kind of where I'm at. Like I said, the ball's in their court and hopefully something can get done. If not, that's the way it goes sometimes."

The at-times controversial Papelbon certainly can't be knocked for his body of work. The franchise's all-time saves leader entered the series opener Monday at Dodger Stadium boasting a 1.65 ERA for the season, having converted each of his 14 save opportunities.

Next week's will be Papelbon's sixth career All-Star Game appearance, and his second in four seasons with the Phillies. This is the second straight July in which only one Phillies player will represent the club in the midsummer classic. Second baseman Chase Utley started last year's game in Minnesota.

Cole Hamels, with a 3.02 ERA over 17 starts, was the Phillies' only other candidate for an all-star selection. Before last season, 2003 was the last year in which the Phillies had only one all-star (Randy Wolf). This is the franchise's first time with only one all-star in consecutive summers since 2000-01 (Mike Lieberthal, Jimmy Rollins).

Papelbon said every All-Star Game nod is special. He looks forward to sharing the experience with his children, now old enough to enjoy the festivities, he said. His numbers this season are more impressive considering the scarcity of save opportunities on baseball's worst team. Four of the six earned runs against him this season came in non-save situations.

"It's been a tough situation for me this year and not getting the opportunities. But you try to make the best of each one and do everything I can to go out here and win ball games," he said. "That's what I thrive on and that's what I enjoy doing is helping our ball club win.

"Regardless of how many situations I get or don't get, I go out there and do the same thing every night and compete the same way every night. Nothing really changes or will get in the way of that."

@jakemkaplan