The MLB trade deadline is not for a couple months, but rumors are already starting with Jonathan Papelbon and the Philadelphia Phillies, as reports have the team engaging in talks with the Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays about a deal and this comes as players like Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard and Chased Utley also could be traded.
The Phillies are expected to be one of the main sellers at the deadline, as they are in rebuilding mode and are saddled with some large contracts. Papelbon has been mentioned in trade rumors since last season and now Ken Rosenthal at Fox Sports is reporting that the team is "ready to trade" their closer and they have had "recent trade discussions" with the Cubs and Blue Jays about making a move.
Papelbon has a big contract with $8 million coming for this season and he has a $13 million option for the 2016 season and that could make him harder to move. Papelbon has had a solid year for the Phillies, as he has a 1.13 ERA this year with 29 strikeouts in 24 innings. Papelbon is just 34 years old, so he should have some more years of strong play ahead of him and he has 12 saves this season. The Mariners could be a wild card option for Papelbon with Fernando Rodney struggling, but that is not a likely move.
The Cubs and Blue Jays are both looking to make the playoffs and adding a top line closer could be huge for both bullpens. The Cubs are looking like players at the deadline and they have also reportedly targeted Ben Zobrist as an option with the A's. The team would love to add a lockdown closer after signing Soriano, as that would give them a strong one-two punch at the back end. The Cubs closer situation has been a bit of a mess this year and getting a player like Papelbon could solidify the bullpen.
The Cubs make sense, as they have some former Red Sox players and execs with Theo Epstein and Jon Lester already there and they also have issues at closer. The team just signed Rafael Soriano, but that is not a sure thing that he can take over. The Blue Jays just went a month without getting a save and they had 18 straight wins without recording one and that means they also are in need on the back end. The Jays have been up and down this season, but they are trending upwards right now and they could be buyers rather than sellers at the deadline.
The Phillies are considered to be major sellers at the deadline this year and with Hamels and Papelbon as their top players likely getting traded, they should have some offers. Ryan Howard likely will be shopped and a team like the St. Louis Cardinals could be interested after losing Matt Adams. Hamels is almost guaranteed to get traded, as he has been a target for teams since last year. Hamels has four years on his contract and teams like the Boston Red Sox, Blue Jays, Houston Astros, Yankees and Padres have all been mentioned as potential landing spots.
