Phillies To Sign Jonathan Papelbon
The Phillies have agreed to sign Jonathan Papelbon, according to Jim
Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com (on Twitter). The deal is pending a physical. The
Phillies appeared to have a deal with Ryan Madson earlier this week, but
talks fell through and the sides didn't complete the rumored four-year, $44MM
deal.
Papelbon, 30, posted a 2.94 ERA with 12.2 K/9 and 1.4 BB/9 in 64 1/3 innings
for the Red Sox in 2011, saving 31 games. He's a Type A free agent who will
cost the Phillies their first round pick in 2012. If the Phillies lose Madson
to another team after offering him arbitration, they'll lose one pick and
gain two.