Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon made it known earlier this spring that he was open to a trade to Toronto. And while news of that had Blue Jays fans drooling, more fuel has been added to the rumour mill.
According to a report by Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly, Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos was seated in the scouts’ section for part of the Phillies-Yankees game on Friday. Papelbon pitched in the opening frame for the Phillies, who wanted to make the sure the reliever got his work in before the rain came down.
When told later that Anthopoulos had observed his inning of work, Papelbon replied, “Huh, interesting.”
The right-hander was 2-3 with 39 saves and a 2.04 ERA for Philadephia last season.
The Blue Jays, for their part, recently named Brett Cecil as their closer. Casey Janssen, who earned 25 saves as closer for Toronto last year, signed with Washington in February.