MLB Trade Deadline: 5 players that could shape the trade market

Jonathan Papelbon

• Team: Philadelphia Phillies
• Position: Closer
• 2015 Stats: 5-5, 2.96 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 9.83 K/9 ratio

For the worst team in baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies certainly have a few commodities that every team is looking for. While that doesn’t include the albatrosses of Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, the pair of Hamels and Jonathan Papelbon could be net the team a healthy building block or two.

While many have been critical of Papelbon’s lower velocity numbers (91.0 MPH in 2015), it is hard to argue with the results the now 34-year-old closer is getting. The right-hander has amassed 27.2 innings in 2015, splitting his decisions with a 2-2 record and converting all 13 of his save opportunities. His 1.50 ERA would be his best since 2006, his 10.41 K/9 rate his best since 2012, and his 52.2% ground-ball rate the best of his career. Needless to say, Papelbon is continuing to get the job done.

Like Hamels, the issue in landing Papelbon is again money. Papelbon is owed the remainder of $13 million in 2015 and has an additional $13 million owed to him next season should he finish 55 games. Considering he’s already amassed 27 games this season, that should be a formality. Additionally, Papelbon has a no-trade clause in effect, allowing him to veto a move to any team he desires. However, he’s likely to waive that clause with a guarantee of his vesting option.

The Toronto Blue Jays make a ton of sense here, but the problem with Toronto is whether they can simultaneously take on the money and part with a top pitching prospect like Daniel Norris in the process. The Dodgers could easily make the money work (what’s a few more million?), but do they really need to dominate at the back-end of games when the rotation need is that much greater? But Toronto has the same issue, and may choose to allocate what little funds they have toward a starter.

Next: Ben Zobrist: Oakland Athletics