Phillies Reach Deal With Papelbon

[UNHWildCats]

[bluehenbillk]

Nice pick-up for the Phils. Early reports are same deal that was rumored but never happened with Madson - 4yr/$44mil - in that ballpark. Apparently Amaro must not have wanted to mess around anymore with Boras.

[UNHWildCats]

Nice pick-up for the Phils. Early reports are same deal that was rumored but never happened with Madson - 4yr/$44mil - in that ballpark. Apparently Amaro must not have wanted to mess around anymore with Boras.

i've been hearing 4 years near $50 million which seems more realistic as Papelbon has been clear that he wants money and its unlikely he would agree to the same deal as an inferior closer.

[bluehenbillk]

Nice pick-up for the Phils. Early reports are same deal that was rumored but never happened with Madson - 4yr/$44mil - in that ballpark. Apparently Amaro must not have wanted to mess around anymore with Boras.

i've been hearing 4 years near $50 million which seems more realistic as Papelbon has been clear that he wants money and its unlikely he would agree to the same deal as an inferior closer.

I heard one report saying 4 for $44 and another at 4 for $50. It's funny that I was in the car at lunch less than 2 hours ago & Ruben Amaro was on Philly sports talk radio. Said there was never a deal in place for Madson so that $44mil may have just been rumors as far as Madson is concerned.

[BlueHen86]

Nice pick-up for the Phils. Early reports are same deal that was rumored but never happened with Madson - 4yr/$44mil - in that ballpark. Apparently Amaro must not have wanted to mess around anymore with Boras.

I don't think the Phillies wanted to wait for Madson. Boras likes to shop his guys as much as possible in order to get top dollar, the Phils wanted to get it over with.

Madson was probably their first choice, but he was going to cost too much. If they waited and then didn't sign Madson, there might not be a good second option available.

[bluehenbillk]

Yep, CSNPhilly.com is reporting a 4-yr deal approaching $50 mil pending Papelbon passing a physical.

[BlueHen86]

Yep, CSNPhilly.com is reporting a 4-yr deal approaching $50 mil pending Papelbon passing a physical.

If that number is right the Phillies are overpaying, but it's worth it. The offense will likely be spotty again next year, the Phils can't have the bullpen blowing 1-0 leads. Best to lock up a top notch closer right now.

If the Phils still had the 2008 offense there is no way I'd want to pay that much for a closer. I'd take my chances with Bastardo, a cheaper option or a mid season trade.

[89Hen]

What are the prospects for offensive production next year?

[BlueHen86]

What are the prospects for offensive production next year?

Like that of World Cup soccer.

[GannonFan]

Perfectly fine with this - Papelbon's been good for several years while Madson was still a wild card with just the one year in the closer role after failing in that role before then. And like I said in another thread, this is actually less or about the same as they had already paid Lidge in this role so this is revenue neutral for the Phils. I like it.

[Seahawks08]

Got the best closer on the market for the price of Lidge...Amaro strikes again.

[Ivytalk]

Yep, CSNPhilly.com is reporting a 4-yr deal approaching $50 mil pending Papelbon passing a physical.

Just make sure he leaves his beer in the waiting room.

[UNHWildCats]

The Red Sox have reportedly made contact with agents for Madson and Heath Bell in an effort to move forward with replacing Papelbon.

The Red Sox GM said no offer was made to Papelbon and the team was not approached with a chance to match the Phillies offer.

[free7694]

In 2015, the Phillies will have $67 million committed to 3 players:

37-year-old Cliff Lee
36-year-old Ryan Howard
35-year-old Jonathan Papelbon

Have fun with that

[DSUrocks07]

In 2015, the Phillies will have $67 million committed to 3 players:

37-year-old Cliff Lee
36-year-old Ryan Howard
35-year-old Jonathan Papelbon

Have fun with that

Yet teams are falling over themselves for Pujols (including mine), who will also be 36 in 2015.

[UNHWildCats]

In 2015, the Phillies will have $67 million committed to 3 players:

37-year-old Cliff Lee
36-year-old Ryan Howard
35-year-old Jonathan Papelbon

Have fun with that

Yet teams are falling over themselves for Pujols (including mine), who will also be 36 in 2015.

Pujols > Howard

[BlueHen86]

In 2015, the Phillies will have $67 million committed to 3 players:

37-year-old Cliff Lee
36-year-old Ryan Howard
35-year-old Jonathan Papelbon

Have fun with that

Holy crap Eeyore, you must be a lot if fun at parties.

[BlueHen86]

Yet teams are falling over themselves for Pujols (including mine), who will also be 36 in 2015.

Pujols > Howard

36 = 36

I don't think he was arguing that Howard is better than Pujols, just pointing out that Pujols will also be 36 in 2015.

[Seahawks08]

n 2015, the Phillies will have $67 million committed to 3 players:

37-year-old Cliff Lee
36-year-old Ryan Howard
35-year-old Jonathan Papelbon

Have fun with that

Didn't you hear? The world is ending in 2012 so the Phillies don't have to worry about that.

[Gil Dobie]

This puts Philly in the drivers seat for next years NL pennant.

Dream Team

[BlueHen86]

This puts Philly in the drivers seat for next years NL pennant.

Dream Team

It puts the Phils in the drivers seat for the top NL playoff seed. Once the playoffs start anything goes.

[Seahawks08]

I hope you guys are correct but losing possibly Rollins and Oswalt could put a damper on things if Amaro doesn't find the right guys to replace them.

[BlueHen86]

I hope you guys are correct but losing possibly Rollins and Oswalt could put a damper on things if Amaro doesn't find the right guys to replace them.

The Phillies won't miss Oswalt. They didn't miss him last year.

[Seahawks08]

Who would you start? Oswalt, Blanton, or KK?

Oswalt WAR was 2.5 last year and it was the worst of his career.

Meanwhile, Blanton hasn't had a WAR higher than 2.5 since 2007 and KK hasn't had a WAR greater than 1. So yes, they will miss him this year since it will cost the team about 3 wins.

[BlueHen86]

Who would you start? Oswalt, Blanton, or KK?

Oswalt WAR was 2.5 last year and it was the worst of his career.

Meanwhile, Blanton hasn't had a WAR higher than 2.5 since 2007 and KK hasn't had a WAR greater than 1. So yes, they will miss him this year since it will cost the team about 3 wins.

So they only win 99 games this year.

Had they "only" won 99 games last year maybe St. Louis doesn't make the playoffs and the Phils win the WS. The Phillies will not miss Roy Oswalt this year.