Jonathan Papelbon heading to Philadelphia

Early in the week, rumors were flying around that both the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies were going to make offers to Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon. Yesterday, one of those rumors proved true when it was announced that the Phillies not only made Papelbon an offer, but that he had accepted it.

Reports have Papelbon’s new contract being a four-year deal in the $50 million range with a fifth-year vesting option all but a done deal (only pending the outcome of a physical).

Papelbon made his Major League debut on July 31, 2005 as a starting pitcher and he took over the role of closer in 2006.  Since 2006, he never went under 30 saves in a season with 2011 bringing him his lowest saves total at 31.  In June of 2011, Papelbon became the 42nd player in MLB to record 200 saves, doing it faster than any other player in 359 appearances (breaking Mariano Rivera’s record of 382 appearances).  He’s a four-time All Star, he holds the Red Sox record for most saves, he’s the only pitcher in MLB to record 25 saves in his first five seasons, he holds the Major League record for most consecutive scoreless innings to start a postseason career…he’s made quite the impact in his time with Major League Baseball and the Boston Red Sox.

Red Sox General Manager Ben Cherington told reporters that no offer has been made to Papelbon from the team although they did have discussions with Papelbon’s agents.  He also said, after hearing the supposed terms of the Phillies contract, that he wouldn’t be surprised if the deal went through.

The fifth year option in the deal could bring the worth of Papelbon’s contract to $60 million and would make it the biggest contract for a closer in MLB history.

(Originally published on Examiner.com)