The Nationals have officially announced that they’ve released former closer Jonathan Papelbon, making him a free agent. The Nats had initially told Papelbon they intended to designate him for assignment, as Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post writes (Twitter links). Papelbon instead requested to be released, since the process of being designated for assignment could result in him being in DFA limbo for up to ten days. The Nationals agreed, although they waited for much of the day Saturday to make the move official. Papelbon’s release clears space for Reynaldo Lopez, who will start tonight against the Braves.
The 35-year-old Papelbon has had a hard time this year, with a 4.37 ERA, 8.0 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 35 innings, and his struggles had deepened recently — he allowed a total of nine runs in his last five outings, and he hadn’t pitched in a week. Those struggles coincided with the Nats’ recent addition of Mark Melancon to replace him at closer, and Melancon has had great success so far in Washington. Also, while Papelbon pitched well in previous seasons despite steadily declining velocity, his average fastball continued to slow this year, dropping to 90.9 MPH five years after peaking 95.0 MPH in 2011.
The release ends Papelbon’s tenure in Washington, which began just over a year ago when they acquired him (with cash) from the Phillies for a minor leaguer. His on-field performance was satisfactory down the stretch for Washington last year, although he was involved in an ugly incident near the end of the season in which he choked teammate Bryce Harper in the dugout.
After struggling in 2016, Papelbon would have had little or no trade value, given his performance, his salary ($13MM for the year) and his dodgy clubhouse reputation. He’s due for free agency this winter. The Nationals surely gauged trade interest before releasing him, but it’s easy to imagine that there wasn’t much.
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick was first to report that the Nationals were likely to make a move with Papelbon, and that he had asked to be released (all Twitter links).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
A return to Boston? He’s no worse than anything they already have
Nope he burned that bridge
He has burnt bridges everywhere he has ever been and with clubhouse he has played in. His reputation precedes him… Garbage influence .. Garbage personality … Has always been
Why would we want him? Weve got enough bullpen arms that give up a bunch of runs already.
If team Theo believes his attitude issues won’t be a problem, the Cubs have a pen hole with both Strop and Rondon hurt
Theo already had him in Boston. Fool him once…
Cubs do have a bullpen hole, don’t need to add another hole.
This made me crack up. Thank you lol
I hope so, but only because I hope the BoSox miss the playoffs!
I was thinking the same thing. When he first left, I was happy, but maybe now we ask him to come back under certain terms. Could be a nice reunion and we could use the pitching to be honest. I don’t think he’s done.
My 6 year old son would be no worse than they already have.
No, he wouldn’t.
I can’t honestly imagine any team with a need for him. He’s been bad this year and he’s old. It doesn’t seem like he wants to be anything except a closer and I can’t see any team that needs a closer. Maybe the D-Backs? But they’re in last place.
Despite the DBacks being pretty atrocious this year (coming from a DBack fan since they formed), he would potentially mess up our young clubhouse presence.
The Rockies can always use a fresh bullpen arm this time of year. Probably won’t help his stats for next year, but would get him work if nothing else. Even at his worst, he is better than 75% of our bullpen.
Why would the D-Backs want Papelbon? To make a run on the Padres and fourth in the division?
Question–when player is released at his request, does he forfeit his salary?
no.
no, but team has leverage and could force him to give up some
That isn’t true at all.
not sure if it’s allowed but what I meant is it makes sense if they could because seems like they have leverage
I think your right, players union wouldn’t like that. my bad
No worries. Player’s contracts in baseball are guaranteed. The Nats made the move to DFA him, all Papelbon asked for was to hasten the process so he could, assumedly, hook up with a contender ASAP.
Atlanta needs to pick him up, maybe playing for the rival might bring some fire back to him.
24 games back? That’s hardly a rivalry right now
@Michael Macaulay-Birks, how many years were the Cubs horrid and America would still consider Cards-Cubs a rivalry? I didn’t say playoff hunt rival. I could see Pap and Braves making a union to help play spoiler. After this series they have ten games remaining.
Pappelbon helping to play spoiler would require the braves to actually score runs…
As in that 8-5 win yesterday? Braves have been scoring runs and winning as of late.
I guess you haven’t been watching baseball this month. The Braves offense has been pretty Lit, except those 2 games in Milwaukee
Krillin, easier to talk crap using old stats. Like people on social media that still gripe about AYBAR in the lineup.
papelbon probably wants to win. braves aren’t winning, no matter how hot the offense is
Nationals are winning and he wants out.
Who says he wanted out? He only asked to be released because they were going to DFA him.
If he wanted to play spoiler to the Nats he would have stayed with them.
Lol. That was funny right there
Good call Stormie.
They might be the only team to be desperate enough to acquire him via trade. The team has been picking up waiver wire pickups as if there were frequent flier miles attached so a guy who is just a above waiver wire pickup would be a marked improvement for a once-great team now adrift with no hope in sight. He might just be the kind of clubhouse presence that ATL wants in its veterans..
Atlanta wouldn’t acquire him via trade, no one will. But if he goes unclaimed, I’m sure he would, they might.
They’re 24 games back, but Washington vs Atlanta is always a fight. Except the first series or two of this season. But generally speaking, the Braves play Washington well.
I’m not sure I’d love having him in Atlanta, but he’s a veteran. As long as he doesn’t teach people the chokehold lol.
If you consider last year’s 5-14 record as competitive I guess you are right.
If they are talking about playing a team well theyre most likely talking about run difference not W-L.
5-14 but what was the run differential?
They could lose 3-2 the first game win 5-3 the next game, and lose 2-1 next game.
1-2 vs them but the run differential is 8 vs. 8
You don’t play a team “well” and have a 5-14 record. That’s pretty obvious.
I guess I didn’t realize how bad they were last year 😀
Why would the Braves want Papelbon? To make a run on the Twins and the second worst record in baseball?
Nats shopped Papelbon last off season but there was zero interest. He has a closer’s mindset but not the tools.
This guy. There are few people I like less in professional sports. People always wanted to hate on Arod or Bonds or so many other players, but to many, they were lovable in other ways. They also redeemed themselves with their numbers so I guess you could say they put their money where their mouth is. Papelbon, however, has absolutely zero redeeming qualities about him. He is a sore loser and a poor sport to boot. .
ARod and Bonds put their money where their syringe was and not even their mothers found anything lovable about them, particularly Bonds.
You obviously haven’t read much about his actual career, or you are a member of the press. Bonds did not play well with the media, and so he got a great deal of bad press, but he has historically been called a great teammate, was always good with his fans, and made enormous charitable donations throughout his playing career. I believe that he held a grudge against all of the racism that his godfather and father experienced throughout their careers, and so he didn’t give most reporters the time of day.
Uhh, let’s see, I’m a life-long Giants fan, live in the city (11th Ave.) and work at the UCSF campus a stone’s throw away from the park so I think I know pretty well what kind of reputation Bonds has and I think it is safe to say that the only more dislikable guy on a team in my lifetime has been Jeff Kent. Even Will the Thrill wasn’t such a prick. Bonds’ attitude problems go all the way back to his college days when he was universally hated by his teammates and it didn’t get much better from there. He was not a good teammate according to most everyone and was so selfish he wouldn’t help a Giants pitcher from telling him he was tipping is pitches. And as far as his fan-friendliness is concerned, I can personally testify that he was a jerk to me and my friend’s teenager. of course that’s not to mention the story in which he tells the little fan to “f— off.” Yeah, that’s friendly all right. Do you remember the Jim Leyland incident? No, of course you don’t. And his work as a hitting coach for the fish? Well, Donnie Ballgame bad-mouthed him for being lazy in public. Yeah, whatta guy!!!
Not to mention he is on a team with the 3rd most wins in all of baseball. What type of true professional would quit on a team with a legitimate chance of winning the ultimate prize. He treats his teammates like crud and quits on winners.
He didn’t quit. He was released because he’s not an effective reliever anymore.
what a suck. replaced by melancon again and cries. note to teams, if you ain’t letting him close don’t bother. winning isn’t important to him unless he gets an S beside his name.
According to an interview a few years ago, I actually think he feels he’s going to be in the HOF someday.
I’ve already made plans to be at both he and Trent Richardson’s induction ceremonies.
Pap has always had a soft spot for Boston. I think even with decreased velo he’d be an upgrade over a diminished Taz!
I don’t think he burned the bridge he just wanted and believed he deserved to get paid!
But still with the pennant chase and being back in Boston he’d thrive !!!
Papelbon has a soft spot for Boston? He couldn’t get out of there fast enough to appease himself and shortly afterwards, criticized the city and the fans. No, I rather think not.
Point is, the guy criticized every team where he’s been. He’s a damn good pitcher but a pretty stupid player with what he says and chicken and beer act.
Still, compare his stats to Mariano Rivera’s through the same number of years, and Papelbon actually has better stats, believe it or not. I’m not even kidding.
He’s still got the stuff, I’m convinced, it’s just a matter of how much of a jerk he’ll be coming into the team.
‘Was’ a darn good pitcher (at some point in the past).
He didn’t just burn the bridge, he blew it up.
He’d be an upgrade over a once again burned out Taz, a cant find strike zone Abad and would relieve some of the pressure on Ziegler and Kimbrel
A 3 way Trade when a American League Team gets him,Nats pick up either McCann or Gardner and Yankees get Prospects.?
No one wants a rental
Lol. No.
for one 3 way trades are hard in august and you the nats would want McCann is beyond me.
You’re right passing multiple players through waivers is almost impossible
****Multiple players at the same time
No one is claiming McCann or Papelbon. It’s possible both have already cleared waivers and can be traded at anytime.
There’s no way that trade is happening, but not because of waivers.
Not impossible sox/lad pulled off mega deal of 2012 with multiple players going through waivers
agree. McCann has cleared and papelbon would but the prospects almost certainly wouldn’t.
Fangraphs has McCann as the 6th best catcher in WAR the last 3 years, his salary of 17 million is what has stopped him from being traded. He will probably get traded over the winter along with Gardner, but the Yanks will have to pay part of his remaining contract to get a top pitching prospect or two.
As long as they’re not on the 40 man roster, they don’t have to. And if they are, you just do it as a PTBNL.
He was ‘released’ … No trades in play anymore. He is a 100% ‘free agent’… Able to sign with anyone for the prorated amount of the MLB minimum (with Washington on the hook for the rest of his $11mm(?) contract).
Must have really shown his (negative) clubhouse influence for the Nationals to have ‘released’ him..
4.37 isn’t that bad…His does have high leverage experience … Must have been ‘pal’ at his best..
Don’t touch him unless you want a prima donna, jerk, bully, arrogant influence in your clubhouse (and with your younger players)
Why would you want to trade your best outfielder?
Best outfielder? Now we have Judge. He will quickly take over as best outfielder
Besides, nobody wants Paplebum and since he was released he is free to sign anywhere he wants
Giants or pirates both teams are in contention, both have great pitching coaches who are known to fix pitchers, and both are great environments I think those are the best places for him to go but the Marlins, dodgers, and cardinals making a push for him.
Anyone think he would take a job with a team where he is NOT the closer?
I would think that if he has anything at all in the tank, he would take a job where you can find it, he’s auditioning for his second round through free agency
Don’t understand why the Nationals would just release him, he has to have enough value to get them something in return if they eat his salary (which they’ll have to do anyway). It’s not like his numbers are unsightly, and a new environment may produce better results, he was a stud until he got to Washington. Maybe he’s just gotten old or maybe Washington just never agreed with him.
I think they’re tired of his crap, just like we were tired of his crap when he was with Boston, not a single Boston fan shed a tear when he left
He was showing signs of decline before he ever pitched for Washington. He’s just done
No he wasn’t! He was perfect in save situations for the Phillies in 2015.
Rockies should pick up this guy
I thought about that for a fleeting second, but he would a loser on the field and in the dugout. Nix that idea.
Bye.
Come to the Dodgers. We lives washed up pitchers lol. Seriously though, why not take a flier of the guy? Maybe in a pitcher friendly park like Dodgers stadium he can do a little better than he was in Washington. Maybe not, worth the risk. Worse case scenario is it doesn’t work and you release him.
He will be a great fit for the Angels… Some people in the front office may need to get pushed and shoved and Pap will take care of that … Maybe by then, these kakabrainiacs will come down to there senses and star making trades and deals which makes sense just like the ones the Rangers have done …/
Honestly there biggest problem is being to loyal to Mike Socia.
Completely agree with 24TheKid…they need to make a change and let Scocia go. And that lineup has a lot inconsistency starting with pitching. A team with Pujols and Trout should have made the playoffs more than once or twice. They need shake things up.
As a Mariners fan I like Jerry Dipoto, so this is probably very bias. But to me it would of made a lot more sense firing Socia and keeping Dipoto instead of what they did.
I agree with you. I just think Scocia has had his time and he doesn’t have that drive to be a great coach anymore.
Their senses … And start… Sorry for the typos …
The tribe should pick him up as a situational pitcher.
Exactly, I can see Tito bringing him in and getting something positive out if him.
I equate Papelbon to both presidential candidates… Their all good at running their mouths but none are qualified to do the job at hand
Papelbon’s numbers match and even surpass Mariano Rivera’s through the same number of years they’ve pitched. Don’t believe me? Check them out side by side.
That’s part of the point. Rivera sustained a high level of performance over an extraordinary period of time. Besides the nearly 300 save difference between them, Rivera pitched more than 400 additional IP, and has the all time record in ERA+ (205). In a career that is substantially shorter, Papelbon’s is 176.
Papelbon was certainly exceptional at his peak. Rivera was just a cyborg. No real comparison between the two.
2005-2011, when Papelboon and Rivera played side-by-side:
Papelbon: 16.2 WAR
Rivera” 23.2 WAR.
So, nope.
Except he’s not as ethical as Clinton or as humble as Trump.
He could really use a change of scenery. I wouldn’t mind if the Tigers made a move for him. At least he’ll be better than Mark Lowe
He wouldn’t care for Lowe’s role. He’d want K Rods. Besides they have Rondon in the poor attitude role, and Collins for obscene gestures. No need for his skill set here.
Dudes got issues. He needs to check himself in to a clinic for professional help
The Giants do have a thing for down, out, and past prime players.
My first instinct is to say that SF wouldn’t bring him around because of the chemistry issues but then again they put up with Brian Wilson and his massive ego.
However I can’t see them picking him up and replacing Casilla unless Papelbon earns it and from everything I read about him he doesn’t seem amiable to taking on any other role even in the short term.
Honestly I’d like SF to take a shot at him and see what works, after all they would only have to cover league minimum salary, plus he would be highly motivated to prove the Nats wrong…. great pitchers park… I wouldn’t surprise me to see him go to SF.
Bad arm Bad brain, Maybe there’s an independent league team willing to take a flyer on him. He’s done with the MLB
Brewers gave up nothing for krod 5 years ago. Not sure why they didn’t trade him for a nothing minors player or cash. Now he’ll sign with the mets or Cubs to get back at the nationals
Bring him in to The Tigers we need as much bullpen help as we can get!
The Tigers would be better off trying to talk John Hiller out of retirement.
We dont need his headache in Detroit.
He’s better than anyone in the Angels bullpen right now.
He’s a one pitch pitcher, with that one pitch now being an 89mph fastball. He’s as toxic a presence as you can find in an MLB clubhouse. He’s more likely to appear in a reality show as the “Real life Kenny Powers” than on a MLB roster going forward.
Kid and Thronson… I agree wit you both… Sosh is been the problem for Iong… Not only lineups (specially bullpen and pitcher management) but he has had a big info fiend and pull on trades … Many good players that left the Angels via trade or FA had brush ups with Sosh… Mike Napoli, Luis Gillen, John Lackey, to name a few… All whom blossom elsewhere …
I get your point, AngelFan69. Guillen did have a history of behavior problems before joining the Angels though, and Lackey proved difficult in Boston after leaving LAA, so I’m not sure I’d put those two completely on Scioscia.
Moving on from Napoli was definitely a poor decision, however, and one in which I agree Sci0scia probably played a major part..
Sorry for the typos … “Had a big hand and influence….
He ends up with the Jays, bank on it. They had steady interest until the Phillies shipped him to the Nats.
Toronto does make some sense given a shaky bullpen, especially since Sanchez is staying in the rotation, but I wouldn’t read too much into past interest. For one, Papelbon wasn’t a compete bum last year, and this is a new front office regime in Toronto this time around. They may not be as optimistic
As a loyal follower of MLBTradeRumors, can I ask why do major stories like this
Get refreshed to the front of the newsfeed?
While most MLBTR regulars probably know all they’ve ever wanted about the Papelbon situation, there are casual fans and MLBTR visitors who probably benefit from a recap of slowly developing stories such as Papelbon’s issues in multiple clubhouses, Rich Hill’s unlikely late 2015 rise, his early- to mid-2016 plateau, and his fall to the post-deadline DL, etc.
Is it too early to do a remake of eastbound and down?
Papelbon is obnoxious. Please, no more of this dancing fool.
I bet he signs with the stros. Would be funny to see him behind Giles.
Would you rather have Al Al who is younger, still can make batters look silly, does not have the baggage, but is wild…. Or Papelbon? GMs are mulling that over now.
I rarely wish the worst for people but this guy doesn’t deserve much. So I hope he doesn’t find a good opportunity, just some left over scraps.
This guy has always been such a polarizing figure. Pap has never really been a “put the team first” kind of guy, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he refuses to sign somewhere unless they immediately make him the full time closer. Saying that, from watching all of his antics over the years, it would make sense that teams want to keep a guy like him out of the clubhouse.