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"Serious discussions," the Phillies and Brewers are having on Jonathan Papelbon, according to Jeff Passan.
No one has presented any reason for the Brewers to not be on Papelbon's no-trade list, and honestly, why wouldn't they be? It's Milwaukee. They're not very good and Papelbon wants to go somewhere where he can support his team, get absurdly paid, and then relax with a nice crotch-fondling on his front porch.
But maybe they're not!
*record screeches* - UPDATE - The Brewers ARE on Papelbon's no-trade list. From CSN Philly's Jim Salisbury...
Milwaukee is one of the 17 teams to which Papelbon could block a trade. That represents a significant hurdle in the talks because Papelbon would require his $13 million option for 2016 to be guaranteed as exchange for his approving a deal, a source tells CSNPhilly.com.
Papelbon is guaranteed $13 million for 2015 and his option would automatically become guaranteed if he finishes 48 games. The Phillies have long stated that they would be willing to eat salary to move veteran players. This winter, they have already eaten $5 million on veteran contracts – $1 million of Jimmy Rollins’ $11 million salary and $4 million of Marlon Byrd’s $8 million salary. Both were traded for pitching prospects.
The 12 teams to which Papelbon CANNOT block a trade are: Boston, Tampa Bay, Kansas City, L.A. Angels, Seattle, Houston, NY Mets, Atlanta, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Chicago Cubs and San Diego.
This rumor has got a lot of conjecture behind it - let's check in with a wildly speculating Ken Rosenthal.
For #Brewers, #Phillies to make Papelbon trade, they would need to agree on $$$ going to MIL and players to PHI - and secure Pap’s approval.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 23, 2015
I don't know if Ruben Amaro balks at three dollar signs or not, but that's a good point, Ken, we
To this point, none of those things have occurred. But deal certainly not out of question, given #Phillies’ motivation to move Papelbon.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 23, 2015
Mmm.
Well, we do know how much the team wants to get Papelbon off the roster, rather than be in for another season of however an expensive closer benefits a last place team. Papelbon's owed $13 million for this season, along with another $13 million option that will vest if he ends 48 games, will have to be significantly devoured to an extent by the Phillies.
And with the Brewers mentioning casually out loud that they wanted late relief earlier this week, why we weren't all screaming about this potential deal already is a complete mystery.
Get it done, Ken. I don't care if you're not the guy who can make this happen - make it happen.
UPDATE: We won't let silly things like no-trade clauses stand in the way of true love, right Jon?
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>As <a href="https://twitter.com/JSalisburyCSN">@JSalisburyCSN</a> reported Papelbon has the right to veto a deal to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brewers?src=hash">#Brewers</a>, but that won't be an obstacle, sources say.</p>— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) <a href="https://twitter.com/jaysonst/status/558641853369950208">January 23, 2015</a></blockquote>
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