All-Star Jonathan Papelbon still lobbying to get out of Philadelphia

Marc Lancaster

All-Star Jonathan Papelbon still lobbying to get out of Philadelphia image

Jonathan Papelbon will wear a Phillies uniform at next week's All-Star Game. As with every time he takes the field these days, he hopes it will be his last outing in those colors.

After learning Monday he had been selected to the National League team, Papelbon reiterated to CSN Philly what he has been saying for some time now: He wants out of Philadelphia.

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“The front office knows where my heart is and where my mind is,” Papelbon said. “And that’s to be with a contending ball club. The ball is in their court, so to speak.”

“I think everybody knows where I’m at. I’ve always been straightforward that I want to go play for a contender and I’m not going to shy away from it. I feel like that’s my right and my prerogative to have that opportunity and, you know, it’s in their hands.”

The closer has been dominant this season, posting a 1.65 ERA and saving 14 games for a team that has won an MLB-worst 28. But his $13 million salary, and a 2016 option for the same amount that becomes guaranteed if he finishes just 20 more games this year, has complicated matters.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro said he would include cash to help offset Cole Hamels' salary if it improves his return on a potential deal, and it stands to reason he would do the same in Papelbon's case just to get the pitcher off his hands.

The Cubs and Blue Jays have been mentioned most often as potential landing spots for Papelbon, but it could be tough for Philadelphia to move the pitcher before the July 31 trade deadline. The pitcher's vocal stance about his desire to be traded certainly hasn't helped the Phillies' leverage.

Marc Lancaster

Marc Lancaster Photo

Marc Lancaster joined The Sporting News in 2022 after working closely with TSN for five years as an editor for the company now known as Stats Perform. He previously worked as an editor at The Washington Times, AOL’s FanHouse.com and the old CNNSportsIllustrated.com, and as a beat writer covering the Tampa Bay Rays, Cincinnati Reds, and University of Georgia football and women’s basketball. A Georgia graduate, he has been a Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2013.