While the Philadelphia Phillies would like to receive offers from other teams for starting pitcher Cole Hamels by Wednesday, they reportedly traded closer Jonathan Papelbon to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday.
The deal for Papelbon had yet to be announced by the teams, but according to a MLB.com, the Nationals would include right-hander Nick Pivetta.
Papelbon said he wanted to leave Philadelphia but hinted that he was only willing to be a closer and not a setup man for another team. The Nationals have a solid closer with Drew Storen, who has 29 saves and a 1.73 ERA this season, but it appears he would move to the setup role to make way for Papelbon.
Papelbon has 17 saves and a 1.59 ERA this season for the Phillies.
Hamels was scheduled to start Thursday, but the team is planning to push him back at least one day while mulling his future.
ESPN reported that the Phillies are hoping to have some time to sift through potential trade options with suitors before parting with Hamels, who pitched a no-hitter on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs in Wrigley Field.
The trade deadline is at 4 p.m. Friday.
Among the teams reported to be interested in the left-hander include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.
Tulowitzki trade blindsides Rockies players
CHICAGO — Colorado Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu didn’t see this coming.
Tuesday’s trade of shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to Toronto left LeMahieu and other now-former Colorado teammates in shock and wondering what comes next as the Rockies embark on an apparent rebuilding effort.
“Obviously, shocked like everyone else, disappointed,” LeMahieu said in front of his locker in the Wrigley Field visitors clubhouse on Tuesday. “We all thought someone might get dealt, but a deal like that I don”t think anyone really planned.”
The six-player transaction sent Tulowitzki and 42-year-old journeyman right-handed pitcher LaTroy Hawkins to the Blue Jays in exchange for All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes and young right-handed pitchers Miguel Castro, Jeff Hoffman and Jesus Tinoco.
Colorado entered Tuesday last in the National League West at 42-55, 12 1/2 games behind the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.
Tulowitzki departed Colorado with a .300 average, including 12 homers and 53 RBIs though 87 games. He was 0-for-5 in his final Rockies game on Monday and saw a hitless streak reach 20 at-bats. Hawkins was 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA and two saves.
“He’s going to help that team a lot, he’s the best shortstop in baseball,” LeMahieu said. “I think he’s going to take his game to another level being in the playoff push.”
Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez also expressed surprise at the trade of one of the faces of the franchise.
“It’s tough, it’s sad became I played with the guy for seven years,” he said. “Whenever you build a relationship like we had it makes it even harder.”
Published reports on Tuesday suggested that Gonzalez could be next.
Royals land Zobrist in deal with A’s
Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore pulled off his second major trade of the month Tuesday, acquiring Ben Zobrist from the Oakland Athletics.
The Royals landed the 34-year-old by giving up one of their top prospects, left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea. The 34th overall pick in 2013 has 39 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings in 2015 and 185 strikeouts in 153 1/3 total minor league innings.
Kansas City entered play Tuesday with the best record in the American League and bolstered a 2014 World Series roster with additions of right-handed ace Johnny Cueto and Zobrist.
Cueto will debut for the Royals on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays and gives the team a bona fide ace at the front of the starting rotation. Since James Shields left for the San Diego Padres in free agency, the Royals had a solid starting staff but not a true No. 1. Cueto answers that problem.
Zobrist can play almost any position, and primarily was used at second base and left field with the A’s.