It sounds a bit like constructive discharge.
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According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, the longtime closer may be out in Washington as soon as Saturday after sources indicated he’d asked for his release from the team. Papelbon had chided Harper for not running out a ground ball during the club’s final home game of 2015; the club suspended Papelbon for the final six games of the season. But he’s posted a 4.37 ERA and pitched his way out of the closer’s role even before Melancon’s arrival, losing one game, blowing another save and having to get bailed out of a ninth-inning jam of his creation in a July 28 game at San Francisco. In addition to choking the team’s star player in the dugout, Papelbon’s performance likely hasn’t been what the Nationals were expecting. Unfortunately for Papelbon, his dominant form didn’t return in his age-35 season, leading Washington to acquired Pirates closer Mark Melancon. It was reported then that Papelbon needed to be guaranteed the closer’s role in order to allow the transaction to take place. Storen was traded to the Blue Jays for Ben Revere.
While framing of the narrative may revolve around Papelbon not coping with being replaced as well as Storen did, there might be more to this story.
The rocky relationship between Jonathan Papelbon and the Washington Nationals appears to be near the end.
Despite what fans and media think we know about Papelbon, this narrative also checks out.
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Makes sense for both sides, given Nationals need a roster spot, Papelbon wants high-leverage innings.
