Brewers In Serious Talks To Acquire Papelbon

[narwhalattack]

Well, seems like this is how we get our veteran bullpen presence.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/01/brewers-in-serious-talks-to-acquire-papelbon.html

[trwi7]

Ugh. Let's hope we're on his no trade list and he isn't willing to waive.

[Eye Black]

Although I assume the Phillies would be picking up part of the money owed to Papelbon, it is somewhat astonishing to me that the Brewers could possibly have two declining relievers in the bullpen that are owed a combined $22 million next season between them in Broxton ($9 million) and Papelbon ($13 million). Not to mention if Papelbon finishes 48 games this season he would be owed an addition $13 million in 2016 due to his vesting option.

[pete]

What a thing to wake up to. I'm hoping this is Passan inflating Melvin checking in with the Phillies, but it so fits with the old Melvin. The talk about being willing to go with closer by committee as a negotiating bluff fits too.

 

Someone hack his phone and fill it with clips of Eric Gagne. Throw in a few of Cordero with the Reds.

[Eye Black]

Rob Neyer in this Just a Bit Outside article does a nice job of briefly summing up some of the concerns with Papelbon moving forward. If this move is executed I hope the Phillies pick up a significant portion of the contract, otherwise it is almost certain to become a poor move for the Brewers.

[fondybrewfan]

Unless the Phillies give us about 10-12 million and we don't give up anything if real significance this doesn't make any sense. Papelbon on a 2/16 contract is actually pretty good. But if you give up substantial talent it would be horrible when guys like Krod and Soriano are still out there. Much like Krod he has lost some velocity but still managed to have a very strong year. I wouldn't be completely opposed but entirely depends on the deal. Philly needs to pick up salary and none of our top 10 prospects better be leaving.

[fondybrewfan]

Guy on a Philly forum says he wants Harrison or Lopez for Papelbon. Lopez maybe but Harrison isn't going anywhere. I wouldn't even want to give up Lopez.

[hawing]

Someone hack his phone and fill it with clips of Eric Gagne. Throw in a few of Cordero with the Reds.

I can think of clips of Cordero with the Brewers that could fill the bill. Or better yet, Cordero with the Reds *against* the Brewers.

[NievesNoNO]

Yuck. This would be one of my least favorite Melvin moves ever. He's still owed a good amount of money and has lost at ton of ability... and seems like a class A jerk. Please don't give anything for him. No, no, no.

[JimH5]

No!!!

 

He's overpriced, with diminishing skills and is a jerk.

[ewitkows]

I'm not sure why everyone is against this. 2 era, 39 saves, .9 whip in 66 innings and only gave up 2 HR. Sign me up

[pete]

I wonder if Mark A. is in the middle of this.

[Outlander]

I would rather have Papelbon than Wooten or Blazek so I guess wouldn't hate the move but think they can do better on the free agent market and not give up a prospect in the process.

[mlloyd10]

If phillies throw us some money. I'm all for it. Didn't realize how good of a season he had last yr on a bad team.

[djoctagone]

if the brewers trade talent on minor league contracts, space would need to be cleared to acquire papelbon. thus, it'd also cost the brewers the risk of losing another player from the organization to make room on the 40-man.

[yoshii8]

If they would pick up some money on him I'd be excited to get him as our closer. He's been one of the best the last few seasons.

[MNBrew]

Papelbon certainly has shown to be a jerk, but I'd take his version of decline over K-Rod's many times over because he's a better pitcher and it's not even close, and K-Rod was also a shaky character suspect when we got him.

 

Also, I believe very strongly that a team HAS TO have a strong bullpen to have a realistic chance to contend & advance. Witness the Giants & Royals last year. Witness the Cardinals vs. us & the world in 2011. Witness the Tigers of recent years as a glaring repeat counterexample.

 

I know the compelling mindset around here is not to throw money at the bullpen. But Henderson & Thornburg, while they could be good, cannot be counted on until they prove they're healthy & capable again, and I'd rather get farther away from the Blazeks & Wootens again as first depth options.

[bill hAll Star]

Also, I believe very strongly that a team HAS TO have a strong bullpen to have a realistic chance to contend & advance. Witness the Giants & Royals last year. Witness the Cardinals vs. us & the world in 2011. Witness the Tigers of recent years as a glaring repeat counterexample.

 

The Giants had an awful bullpen during the regular season last year. Came around for the playoffs a little bit.

 

I'd also argue the Tigers are why we shouldn't make this trade. The Tigers have been stockpiling overpriced guys with "closer experience" (as if that actually means anything) that have all exploded in front of their very eyes. Valverde, Coke (used incorrectly when he struggled), Soria, Nathan, etc.

 

EDIT: I shouldn't say "awful" on the Giants. Depends what you're going by. Fangraphs thinks they weren't good via WAR but strictly by ERA and such they were pretty good. Their FIP was also good so maybe I was wrong on that one.

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=rel&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2014&month=0&season1=2014&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0

[JohnBriggs12]

Brewers have gotten burned repeatedly going for aging/declining relievers: ie: Gagne and 2nd season of Hoffman which was a disaster. I've already had Broxton near the top of the most likely to be wasted money in 2015 list, just behind Ramirez. Papelbon would come in right behind those two. Unless Phillies pay at least half of his remaining contract, then no, no, no!

[fondybrewfan]

If you can get Papelbon's annual salary down to $8 Million or so this would seem like a really solid move; obviously depending on what kind of talent the Brewers would have to give up. I don't think it would be a ton; but Philly going to be looking for something decent. Papelbon, Broxton, Jeffress, Smith, Kintzler, Thornburg, and Henderson is a really good group of arms albeit right handed heavy.

 

Melvin should just go nuts and try to get Hamels along with Papelbon. Only half joking.

[jerichoholicninja]

Papelbon is in the same boat that KRod was in when we traded for him. His team just wants to get rid of him. All it will take is a probably never will be mid level prospect if the Phillies kick in some money or a definitely never will be prospect if the Phillies don't. Since he's gone to Philly and everyone freaked out about how he was going to be a disaster he's only put up a 2.45 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 9.6 K/9, 2 BB/9. I would be more than willing to "roll the dice" on that production.

 

I'm also not sure why everyone's freaking out about Broxton. He's not an elite pitcher but he's still very, very good. Over the last 3 years he's got an ERA+ of 142 and a WHIP of 1.167.

[fondybrewfan]

Brewers are on his no trade list. Doesn't rule out a trade; but Papelbon will have to want to come here. I am guessing he would waive it since it appears he really just wants to get out of Philly.

[Invader3K]

Brewers are on his no trade list. Doesn't rule out a trade; but Papelbon will have to want to come here. I am guessing he would waive it since it appears he really just wants to get out of Philly.

 

There's talk on Twitter that the Brewers would have to guarantee his 2016 option. I think the Phillies would have to kick in some money to make this work if that is true.

[pete]

They'll have to pick up his option. For Melvin or maybe Mark A., the contract plays. If he spits up a couple early saves I wonder if there is a reporter in the press corps willing to ask Melvin what it would take for him to move on.

[patrickgpe]

I don't hate the move, but like all things, the devil is in the details. I wouldn't be for it if the brewers have to give a top prospect or have to guarantee his 2016 vesting option.