The Milwaukee Brewers are looking for a closer in the wake of Francisco Rodriguez’s perpetual free agency, and they’re looking at an expensive, well-known name – Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Sources: Milwaukee in serious discussions with Phillies to acquire Jonathan Papelbon. Unclear if Brewers are on Papelbon's no-trade list.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 23, 2015
Source: #Brewers on Papelbon’s no-trade list. Talks with #Phillies have picked up in recent weeks, but deal still not close.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 23, 2015
For #Brewers, #Phillies to make Papelbon trade, they would need to agree on $$$ going to MIL and players to PHI – and secure Pap’s approval.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 23, 2015
Papelbon makes a whopping $13 million in 2015, and a $13 million option can vest for 2016 if he finishes 48 games this season. However, because the Brewers are on Papelbon’s no-trade list (gee Ruben, giving a no-trade clause to an expensive reliever seems silly now), he’d have to approve the trade and would likely force Milwaukee to pick up his option in 2016 as a condition of the deal. That would likely mean that the Phillies need to kick in even more money than they would be if Papelbon was a one-year rental for the Brewers.
The 34-year old isn’t the same pitcher he was in his heyday with the Red Sox, as he failed to strike out at least one batter per inning in each of the last two seasons after performing the feat in every year from 2005-2012. However, he’s kept his walk rate stingy, and is allowing much more weak contact despite diminished velocity.
Aside from Rodriguez, Milwaukee’s bullpen has also lost LOOGY Zach Duke this winter. If they didn’t acquire another reliever, they’d be relying on Jonathan Broxton to close out games. Broxton was acquired from the Reds at the end of August, and pitched to a 4.35 ERA in just 10 1/3 September innings with the club. He’s signed for $9 million in 2015, and has a $9 million mutual option with a $2 million buyout for 2016.
