Jonathan Papelbon said Wednesday that it would be a "no-brainer" to waiver his no-trade clause in order to be dealt to a contender. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro said that Papelbon has "never expressed to me that he's been unhappy," but he's not surprised the closer is willing to be dealt. "Why wouldn't players want to play on a contending team?" the GM added. "It's really rather simple." Papelbon is owed about $19 million through the end of next season and has a $13 million vesting option for 2016, so the Phils will surely have to eat some money in order to make a trade happen. However, Papelbon probably does look attractive to a contender with a 1.24 ERA and 22 saves in 24 opportunities.

Jonathan Papelbon picked up the save for the third consecutive day, slamming the door on the Brewers in the ninth inning as the Phillies earned a 4-1 victory on Wednesday. Papelbon had another 1-2-3 inning, also his third in a row. The Phillies will likely have to rely on Jake Diekman or Ken Giles in the ninth inning if they need to in Thursday afternoon's series finale. Papelbon is 22-for-24 in save chances with a 1.24 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and a 32/9 K/BB ratio in 36 1/3 innings.

Jonathan Papelbon picked up his 21st save, pitching a perfect ninth inning as the Phillies went home winners against the Brewers on Tuesday. Papelbon has saved both of the Phillies' wins, both with perfect ninth innings, to open the four-game set against the Brewers. The right-hander has been among baseball's best closers thus far, having saved 21 of 23 with a 1.27 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP, and a 31/9 K/BB ratio in 35 1/3 innings.

Jonathan Papelbon converted his 19th save of the season, blanking the Marlins in the ninth inning in Thursday's victory. It was Papelbon's first appearance in a save situation since June 24, and his first appearance overall since Sunday. The layoff didn't affect Papelbon, as he struck out two in the effort. The right-hander has had a great season despite diminished velocity, now 19-for-21 in save chances with a 1.35 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP, and a 30/9 K/BB ratio in 33 1/3 innings.

Jonathan Papelbon held the Marlins scoreless in the ninth inning to pick up his 18th save in Tuesday's victory. Papelbon allowed a two-out single to Giancarlo Stanton, but was able to get Casey McGehee to ground out to shortstop to end the game. The closer lowered his ERA to 1.48 and now carries a 0.99 WHIP with a 25/9 K/BB ratio. Papelbon is 18-for-20 in save opportunities.

Jonathan Papelbon worked a perfect ninth inning to pick up his 17th save in Thursday's win over the Cardinals. With the Phillies now on a four-game winning streak and four games out of first place in a very weak NL East, Papelbon may be pitching for a club that now deems itself a contender. Papelbon has a 1.53 ERA, a 0.99 WHIP, and a 25/9 K/BB ratio in 29 1/3 innings, but his remaining salary ($13 million in each of 2014-15 plus a $13 million vesting option for 2016) would make it difficult if the Phillies were to attempt to trade him.

Jonathan Papelbon worked a scoreless ninth inning to collect his 16th save in Tuesday's win over the Braves. Papelbon's velocity was slightly below where it had been most of the season, registering at 89-90 instead of 92-93, but he made quick work of the Braves anyway. Monday's blown save aside -- which had more to do with bloop hits finding grass than poor pitching -- Papelbon has been a rock for the Phillies, sitting on a 1.59 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP and a 25/9 K/BB ratio. He has converted 16 of his 18 save chances.

Jonathan Papelbon took his second blown save of the year after giving up three singles and a run in the ninth Monday against the Braves. Papelbon looked like he might be a liability for the Phillies following last year's decline and an awful spring, but he has a 1.65 ERA and he's yet to allow a homer in 27 1/3 innings this season. His first blown save since April 2 did force the Phils to play a few extra innings tonight, but they ended up winning anyway.

Jonathan Papelbon finally found himself back in a save situation, working a scoreless ninth inning for his 14th save -- the 300th of his career -- in Tuesday's win over the Padres. Papelbon, the 26th reliever to reach 300 career saves, last found himself in a save situation on May 24. Due to circumstances that can mostly be blamed on the team's poor performance lately, he had pitched in tie games or mop-up duty just for the work. Papelbon now has a 1.48 ERA on the season with 14 saves in 15 chances and a 20/9 K/BB ratio in 24 1/3 innings. Despite diminished velocity, Papelbon has been quite reliable for the Phillies.

Jonathan Papelbon tossed a scoreless ninth inning Friday in a non-save situation against the Reds. The Phillies were up 8-0 at the time, but Papelbon hadn't pitched in five days and needed the work. He hasn't had a save chance since May 24. Papelbon has allowed just one run since his blowup on April 2 against the Rangers and currently owns a 1.54 ERA and 19/9 K/BB ratio over 23 1/3 innings.