Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Saturday that the Brewers’ negotiations for Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon were “definitely on life support, at best,” but it sounds like there has been some rekindling of that fire early this week.
MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki writes Tuesday that the Brewers and Blue Jays have both been in recent contact with the Phillies about a Papelbon trade. Nothing is close to being announced right now.
Papelbon posted an outstanding 2.04 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in 66 1/3 innings last season with Philadelphia, but the 34-year-old right-hander is owed $13 million in 2015 and he carries a $13 million vesting option for the 2016 season.
If the Phillies want something in return, they’re probably going to have to eat some money.
