Just a couple of days after the Phillies verbally agreed to a deal with Ryan Madson, but pulled out after ownership vetoed the contract, a report from CSN Philly says the Phillies have moved on, and reached an agreement Jonathan Papelbon:
Philadelphia Phillies Reach Agreement With Jonathan Papelbon
The Philadelphia Phillies have reached an agreement with Jonathan Papelbon on a multi-year deal, according to reports.
The Phils and Papelbon have reached agreement sources tell CSNPhilly.com. Pending physical.No word on the size of the deal yet, but the Madson offer was reported four years for $44 million, so it would follow that the Papelbon deal would come close to or exceed that amount.
Papelbon is a converted starter who debuted with the Red Sox in 2005, taking over the closer's role the next year. He has 219 career saves and a 2.33 ERA over seven seasons. Though his 2011 will be remember by some for a blown save in Baltimore on the last day of the season, he might have had one of his better years statistically, featuring the lowest HR/9 and BB/9 of his career and the second highest K/9.
Overpaying for closers is never a good idea, but if you have to buy one, it’s probably a good idea to go top shelf.
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