As Odubel Herrera’s game-winning hit landed in left-center field Wednesday afternoon, winning pitcher Jonathan Papelbon sprinted from the dugout like a crazed special-teamer and tackled the rookie outfielder.
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That’s not what I signed up for. “You have to ask our general manager [Ruben Amaro Jr.] that question”. With Andy MacPhail coming into the fold, it was apparent that the regime in control preferred not to do anything drastic before it was official. In addition to closing out every one of his 16 save chances successfully, he also holds a 1.63 ERA and 39/8 K/BB ratio across 38 2/3 innings.
While Papelbon doesn’t know what will happen, it’s looking less likely the home bullpen in South Philadelphia has seen the last of him. The three teams that were the favorite to land the closer have backed off, the Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
That was all news to Papelbon following Wednesday’s 10-inning 5-4 walk-off victory in which he threw two scoreless innings and earned the win. “I go to work and prepare to get guys out on whatever team I’m on”.
“Your guess is as good as mine”, Philadelphia interim manager Pete Mackanin said of what will transpire with his team at the deadline. “It don’t matter”.
While there does seem to be an undercurrent of pessimism in the industry regarding trade prospects for Papelbon, there remains confidence in the Phillies organization that a deal will be struck.
Papelbon, meanwhile, continues to pitch well despite the trade rumors swirling around him, something that he refused to acknowledge after the game.
“I just grind and I show up to play and get outs”, Papelbon said.
It’s shown on the mound.
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Reports vary wildly, of course, but Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com says he’s “getting no sense the Phillies have any traction” on a Papelbon trade.
