Arizona Diamondbacks: 3 Closers on the Cheap
Sep 19, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) throws to the Miami Marlins during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. The Washington Nationals won 5 – 2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
The high-strung reliever comes with a lot of baggage. His actions at the end of the season (throwing at Manny Machado, fighting with Bryce Harper) would seem to indicate that the Washington Nationals would love to move him and his $11 million dollar contract. Papelbon’s attitude overshadowed the fact that 2015 was his sixth All-Star Game selection as he finished the year with 24 saves and a 2.13 ERA. He wasn’t great in Washington (who was over the final two months?) and he upset many players when he insisted he be dealt to a team in which he would be the closer. It shouldn’t take much to have the soon-to-be 35-year old Papelbon change zip codes, maybe even a prospect that is outside the top 20 rankings.
Next: Joakim Soria