The Jonathan Papelbon saga is over. The Philadelphia Phillies finally pulled the trigger on trading their closer, agree to deal him within the NL East to the Washington Nationals for AA pitcher Nick Pivetta. Interestingly enough, as part of the agreement, Papelbon will be Washington’s closer in 2015 and his option for 2016 will become guaranteed.
Source: the Phillies will receive Double-A right-hander Nick Pivetta for Jonathan Papelbon.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) July 28, 2015
The 34-year old Papelbon is having a great year for the Phillies, saving all 17 of his opportunities, pitching to a 1.59 ERA in 39 2/3 innings, striking out 40, and walking just eight. But Papelbon hasn’t been happy as the Phillies have careened down the NL East standings, and had been demanding a trade all season. Papelbon *will* end up as the closer in DC, displacing Drew Storen.
Source: Under terms of trade agreement, if completed, Papelbon will close for #Nationals and be signed for 2016.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2015
Papelbon is still owed the balance of his $13 million salary this season, and his vesting option for 2016 was $13 million. It’s not immediately clear how much money Papelbon will be sacrificing in the trade, though Ken Rosenthal did report Papelbon is giving up some salary so his 2016 option would be guaranteed.
Don’t have exact Papelbon details. Generally, a player can sacrifice one benefit (in this case salary) for another (extra guaranteed year).
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2015
Numbers not confirmed, but in one proposal, Papelbon was to receive $11M guarantee for ‘16 in exchange for giving up $13M vesting option.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2015
A casualty from this trade (again) is Washington closer Storen. Tyler Clippard took the closer’s role from an injured Storen in 2012, and Storen didn’t regain the role until late in 2014 when veteran Rafael Soriano began to struggle. Storen has shined this year, saving 29 games for the Nationals while blowing just two and pitching to a 1.73 ERA in 36 1/3 innings. He’s struck out 44 and walked just nine on the season. Storen will be a free agent after 2016, his fourth and final year of arbitration.
Pivetta is a 22-year old that has split the season between high-A and AA, pitching to a 3.02 ERA in 101 1/3 innings, punching out 78 and walking 38. He was a fourth round pick by the Nationals in 2013.
