Phillies announce Papelbon deal

The Phillies four-year deal with former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon will be worth just over $50M. (AP)
The Phillies four-year deal with former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon will be worth just over $50M. (AP)
Posted: November 14, 2011

Here is the Phillies' press release annoucing the signing of closer Jonathan Papelbon:

Right-hander Jonathan Papelbon has signed a four-year, $50,000,058 million contract with the Phillies, Senior Vice President & General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced today. The contract includes a vesting option for 2016.

Papelbon, 30, went 4-1 with 31 saves and a 2.94 ERA in 63 appearances this past season with the Boston Red Sox. He had a career-best 87 strikeouts in 64.1 innings (12.2 SO/9.0 IP) and held opponents to a .207 batting average. In his final 25 games of the season, Papelbon posted a 1.35 ERA, allowing four earned runs in 26.2 innings pitched and did not allow a home run in his last 30.2 innings (29 games).

"We are really pleased to bring Jonathan to Philadelphia," said Amaro. "He is among the elite closers in the game and someone who clearly has a passion to win."

During the 2011 season, Papelbon became the first player in major league history to collect at least 30 saves in each of his first six full big league seasons and the fastest to 200 career saves (359 games), besting Mariano Rivera's previous record (382).

Among American League relievers in 2011, Papelbon ranked second in strikeouts per walks (8.7), third in strikeouts and fewest walks per 9.0 innings (1.4) and had the fifth-lowest opponents' on-base percentage (.247). A four-time All-Star (2006-09), Papelbon led all AL relievers in strikeouts (475) over the past six seasons (2006-11) and was second in saves (219), trailing only Rivera (224).

Originally selected by Boston in the fourth round of the 2003 draft, Papelbon is 23-19 with 219 saves and a 2.33 ERA in 396 games (three starts), all with the Red Sox. He ranks eighth among active pitchers in saves and has averaged 10.7 strikeouts per 9.0 innings in his major league career. Additionally, Papelbon's career 88.3 save percentage is sixth-best in major league history (minimum 190 save opportunities).

In 18 career postseason games, Papelbon is 2-1 with seven saves and a 1.00 ERA. Seventeen of his 18 postseason appearances have been scoreless, including a 26.0-inning scoreless streak.

Papelbon will wear No. 58.

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