Papelbon Has Landed
Posted by Decker on November 13th, 2011
The Phillies have signed closer Jonathan Papelbon. The deal is worth $50 million over four years, and is the biggest deal ever for a relief pitcher. While he had a down year in 2010, Papelbon quickly bounced back. Mariano Rivera makes more per season, but the contract did not have this length (or amount).
This means the end of Ryan Madson’s tenure in Philadelphia. After having many years of underwhelming closers, the Phillies enjoyed Brad Lidge’s success as they won the World Series. However, Lidge was never the same after that magical season. Since then, Phillies fans have been clamoring for an elite closer, and their prayers were finally answered.
