The Toronto Blue Jays are still interested in Phillies right-hander Jonathan Papelbon and had conversations with Philadelphia as recent as last week about acquiring the closer, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
The Phillies, mired in last place in the National League East, have several assets at the centre of trade rumours, including Papelbon and starter Cole Hamels.
Rosenthal reports the club is ready to move Papelbon now and is also willing to absorb a large portion of his salary. The 34-year-old is owed more than $8 million for the remainder of this season and his $13-million option for 2016 will take effect if he finishes 26 more games.
Toronto has been a rumoured landing spot for Papelbon since spring training. Along with the Blue Jays, the Chicago Cubs are also said to be interested in him, but sources told Rosenthal that neither team appears close to a deal.
Papelbon has 12 saves this season and sports a minuscule 1.13 ERA across 24 innings. He saved 219 games over seven seasons for the Boston Red Sox before signing with the Phillies as a free agent following the 2011 season.
Papelbon is familiar with the Cubs front office as president Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer were both with the Red Sox when the closer helped the club to its 2007 World Series win.
