MLB Rumors: Jonathan Papelbon interested in reunion with Boston Red Sox
Jonathan Papelbon asked the Washington Nationals to release him, and with that wish granted he is looking toward reuniting with the Boston Red Sox.
Jonathan Papelbon’s on-going struggles forced the Washington Nationals into the market for a closer, and Mark Melancon has stepped into the role since being acquired around the trade deadline. Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reported Saturday morning the Nationals were about to make a roster move with Papelbon, and they later granted his request to be outright released.
Speculation about a new landing spot for Papelbon has quickly surfaced. Rob Bradford of WEEI has reported the veteran reliever would welcome a reunion with the Boston Red Sox.
Papelbon had the best years of his career with the Red Sox from 2005-2011, with a franchise record 219 saves, four All-Star selections and a World Series win in 2007. He had another All-Star season with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2012, but good surface results have masked a decline in strikeout rate and fastball velocity since. Those declines have caught up to Papelbon this year, with a career-worst 4.37 ERA.
Related Story: Jonathan Papelbon requests release from Nationals
The Red Sox could be looking for bullpen reinforcements, with Craig Kimbrel (left knee) working his way back to full strength and Koji Uehara (pectoral) possibly out for the rest of the regular season. On that note, team president Dave Dombrowski did offer a brief thought regarding Papelbon being available.
"“It just happened, but I would say it’s worth looking into.”"
Papelbon asking the Nationals to release him comes off as serious sour grapes, and his tenure with the team was hardly smooth. Bullpen roles being shuffled after the trade to acquire him, despite Drew Storen’s success as closer up to that point, and a dugout altercation with Bryce Harper that led to a seven-game suspension.
Despite manager Dusty Baker’s declaration that Papelbon has taken his demotion like a professional, it’s easy to see the potential for a big distraction the first time Melancon blows a save. So, the Nationals removed a problem before it became one, and Papelbon’s poor performance further made him not worth the trouble.
The Red Sox front office looks a lot different than it did when Papelbon last pitched for them, so any history with the team should mean little. If Dombrowski and the RedSox do even consider signing Papelbon, it’s hard to see a reunion happening based on what he has offered recently.