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FOXSports.com reports the Philadelphia Phillies and free agent Jonathan Papelbon have agreed to a 4-year-deal worth $50 million. The deal could increase to a fifth year and $10 million more if Papelbon can reach a certain amount of games and innings pitched.
The loss of Papelbon adds to the disappointing end to the Boston Red Sox season after missing the playoffs. They had to replace president Theo Epstein who moved onto the Chicago Cubs with Ben Cherington and still are searching for a manager after Terry Francona stepped down.
The deal fills a void for the Phillies as they have not been able to resign closer Ryan Madson as of yet. Madson as closer last season had 32 saves with an era of 2.37.
Papelbon was drafted in the fourth round of the 2003 draft by the Red Sox organization since 2003 and had 31 saves last season with a 2.94 era.
Both sides are waiting for the Players Union and the owners to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement before making this deal final.
Now the Phillies look to bring back shortstop Jimmy Rollins as he was one of their top priorities heading into the offseason.
Papelbon is a four-time All-Star and was the closer for the Red Sox when they won the World Series over the Colorado Rockies back in 2007. In seven seasons he is 23-19 with 219 saves and an era of 2.33.
The 30-year-old will be the second highest paid reliever in baseball history behind New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.
From The Sports Mind Of RB:
Can someone please explain how the Phillies find all this money? Was Citizens Bank Park built on an oil reserve and nobody told me? Every year it seems like they can sign someone new. This is a good signing and National League hitters don't know Papelbon as well so he could dominate next season.
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