PHILADELPHIA – Jonathan Papelbon can do his Irish Jig on Broad Street.
A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press that the Philadelphia Phillies and Papelbon have agreed to a $50 million, four-year contract that’s the largest ever for a reliever. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the deal had not yet been announced and is subject to Papelbon passing a physical.
Papelbon, who turns 31 on Nov. 23, had 219 saves over seven seasons with the Boston Red Sox, including 31 this year, when he made $12 million. He will replace Ryan Madson, who also is a free agent.
The previous high for relievers had been $47 million, with B.J. Ryan agreeing to a five-year contract with Toronto before the 2006 season and Joe Nathan getting a four-year deal from Minnesota in March 2008.
Madson’s agent, Scott Boras, and Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. were close to a $44 million, four-year deal on Monday. But the person familiar with Papelbon’s deal said Amaro told Boras the following day that team president Dave Montgomery wouldn’t approve the deal. That offer included a vesting option that would have taken the contract to $57 million over five years.
The Phillies have
Read More from the Article Source: Full Article
