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MLB Rumors: Jonathan Papelbon requests release from Nationals

By Dave Stevenson

Sep 23, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) pitches during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park. Baltimore Orioles defeated Washington Nationals 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) pitches during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park. Baltimore Orioles defeated Washington Nationals 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jonathan Papelbon has requested his release from the Washington Nationals. 

The Washington Nationals thought that they were getting the missing piece to their World Series puzzle at the 2015 MLB trade deadline when they traded for Philadelphia Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon. Yet his tenure with the Nationals has been largely disappointing. After putting his hands around Bryce Harper’s neck in September, people were surprised that he wasn’t released. Now he has reportedly requested that he be released from the Nationals.

The beginning of the end of his tenure with the Nationals was likely when the Nationals traded for Pittsburgh Pirates closer Mark Melancon. Since trading for Melancon, Papelbon has only appeared in two games — both of them blowouts. In 2015, Papelbon had a 3.04 ERA in 22 games with the Nationals. Papelbon has seen his ERA skyrocket to 4.37 in 2016 with 19 saves. He also has a 1.457 WHIP entering Saturday August 13.

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At 35 years old, this could also be the beginning of the end of Papelbon’s career. It’s hard to see any contender being willing to give him a chance to close at this point. Another factor working against Papelbon is that any team who might want to flip him likely wouldn’t have enough time to do so. At the very least, baseball fans have likely seen the end of Papelbon being a closer. His consistently terrible attitude certainly won’t help his chances of finding a job with another team.

Papelbon could get a cheap one-year deal or a minor league deal in free agency. He’s a proven closer who has allowed just three runs in 27 postseason innings. Papelbon also played an instrumental role in helping the Boston Red Sox win the 2007 World Series. However, if even the famously stubborn Dusty Baker has lost faith in him, who else would be willing to give him much of a chance?

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