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Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia Phillies signed long-time Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon to a four-year deal Friday worth close to $50 million, with a vesting club option for a fifth year.
The move comes just a few days after news broke the Phillies and Ryan Madson, who saved 32 games this past season for Philly, failed to agree on a four-year, $44 million deal.
Talks with Madson's agent, baseball super-agent Scott Boras, apparently fell apart and Madson remains a free agent.
Papelbon, who turns 31 on Nov. 23, brings 219 career saves and a substantially lower career ERA (2.33) and WHIP (1.02) than Madson (3.59, 1.29). The Baton Rouge, Lousiana native had shown signs of decline, posting a career high 3.90 ERA in 2010, but bounced back to post a 2.94 ERA in 2011.
As a Type A free agent under the current rules, the Phillies will have to surrender a first-round draft pick to Boston in the upcoming draft. The compensation rules governing premier free agents are currently being negotiated by players and owners at the bargaining table.
The Phillies could end a first-round draft pick if, Madson, also a Type A free agent, ends up signing with one of the 15 teams whose picks are not protected by the CBA.
Rosenthal: Papelbon bolts Beantown
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