Jonathan Papelbon
RP FA
Wed 8/31/16 2:58 PM

Papelbon now appears unlikely to sign with another team this season, WEEI's Rob Bradford reports.
EDGE Analysis
He will need to sign before midnight Wednesday in order to be eligible to to pitch in the postseason, and according to Bradford, that is unlikely to happen. Only contending teams would conceivably see value in bringing Papelbon aboard, so if he remains unsigned on Thursday, he likely won't pitch in the big leagues again until 2017.

Jonathan Papelbon
RP FA
Sat 8/13/16 3:23 PM

Papelbon was officially released by the Nationals on Saturday, the Washington Post's Chelsea Janes reports.
EDGE Analysis
Papelbon is presumably upset that the team found a better option for the ninth inning in Mark Melancon, and requested his release. The 35-year-old reliever posted a career-high 4.37 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP while striking out batters at a career-low 20.4 percent clip prior to his release. Factor in his bad attitude and apparent belief that he is still good enough to be a closer on a contending team, and it's hard to envision him generating much interest on the free agent market.

Jonathan Papelbon
RP FA
Sat 8/13/16 11:44 AM

Papelbon is expected to be granted his release from the Nationals, the Washington Post's Chelsea Janes reports.
EDGE Analysis
He asked to be released, rather than designated for assignment, so that he could catch on with another team as soon as possible, as the DFA process takes 10 days to finalize a switch in teams. Rather than remain with the Nationals as a setup man after the team acquired Mark Melancon at the deadline to take over the closing duties, Papelbon would rather try to go to another organization. It's hard to envision which team would bring Papelbon aboard as a closer at this point in the season, especially given his 4.37 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 31:14 K:BB in 35 innings. Of course, he could just want to get away from the Nationals, and might be fine being used in the seventh or eighth inning on another contending team.

Jonathan Papelbon
RP FA
Sat 7/30/16 4:15 PM

Papelbon is out as the Nationals' closer with the team acquiring Mark Melancon from Pittsburgh on Saturday, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Manager Dusty Baker refused to commit to Papelbon as his closer when asked early Saturday afternoon, and the team later informed Papelbon that he was indeed out after its acquisition of Melancon was made official. Papelbon, a free agent after this season, has hit a rough stretch lately with seven earned runs allowed in his last three appearances (spanning one inning). It's uncertain if Papelbon or Shawn Kelley will serve as the top setup option.

Jonathan Papelbon
RP FA
Sat 7/30/16 3:05 PM

Manager Dusty Baker would not commit to Papelbon remaining the closer when asked about Papelbon's status Saturday, Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Papelbon was pulled from a save situation Thursday after allowing a run, two days after he blew a save opportunity against Cleveland, and Baker instead turned to Shawn Kelley to close out the Giants on Friday. Papelbon has given up seven earned runs in his last three appearances (totaling one inning), with four walks over that span. The veteran did turn in seven straight scoreless appearances after his return from the DL in early July, and it doesn't sound like Baker is willing to commit to a role change just yet, but the writing is on the wall for Papelbon's formal removal from the ninth inning.

Jonathan Papelbon
RP FA
Fri 7/29/16 2:01 AM

Papelbon was yanked with one out in the ninth inning Thursday against the Giants after allowing a hit and a walk. He was ultimately charged with a run.
EDGE Analysis
Oliver Perez and finally Shawn Kelley ended up piecing together the save, but first, one of Papelbon's baserunners scored on an error. The 35-year-old has unraveled recently, pitching a total of exactly one inning in his last three appearances while allowing eight runs (seven earned) with a 1:4 K:BB. Papelbon was already barely clinging to his job as the Nationals' closer, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him get displaced by Kelley on a permanent basis.

Jonathan Papelbon
RP FA
Wed 7/27/16 9:02 AM

Nationals manager Dusty Baker suggested after Tuesday's loss to the Indians that the team could potentially explore a closing change, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. "It's too soon after [the game to make a decision on a closer]," Baker said about 15 minutes after the loss. "I mean, that's [Papelbon's] job. That's what he's getting paid for. I don't know. We just have to go back to the drawing board. It's too early to say after the game."
EDGE Analysis
Papelbon blew only his third save in 22 chances on the season, but Tuesday's outing was a total disaster, as he failed to record an out en route to surrendering three runs (two earned), two hits and two walks. He was tagged for four runs over 0.2 innings in his previous outing, and with the Nationals fighting for playoff position, it might make sense for the team to explore other ninth-inning options until Papelbon regains his mojo. The veteran closer is sitting on a career worst 4.18 ERA and 1.42 WHIP for the season and has been outproduced by top setup man Shawn Kelley, who owns a 3.11 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 58 strikeouts across 37.2 innings. Look for the Nationals to at least address their underwhelming bullpen by acquiring a reliever prior to the Aug. 1 trade deadline, but it's uncertain if they'll pony up for a potential closer now that the top prize on the market, Aroldis Chapman, has been dealt to the Cubs.

Jonathan Papelbon
RP FA
Wed 7/27/16 12:27 AM

Papelbon (2-4) blew the save and took the loss as he failed to get an out and allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks Tuesday against Cleveland.
EDGE Analysis
This marks Papelbon's first blown save since May 3rd against Kansas City, but it's his second poor outing after he allowed four runs in a tie game in the ninth inning his last time out Saturday against San Diego. His ERA has jumped from 2.56 to 4.18 just from these two bad outings. He's a solid for 19-for-22 in save opportunities, and a Ryan Zimmerman error contributed to this one, so his job shouldn't be in jeopardy quite yet.

Jonathan Papelbon
RP FA
Mon 7/11/16 7:01 AM

Papelbon gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Sunday, striking out two, to pick up his 19th save of the season in a win over the Mets.
EDGE Analysis
His brief DL stint appears to have been just what the doctor ordered, as Papelbon's posted a 0.00 ERA and 8:0 K:BB in four shutout innings since his return. The Nats might well bolster their bullpen before the trade deadline, but the veteran closer's doing everything he can to increase his job security.

Jonathan Papelbon
RP FA
Sat 7/9/16 10:39 AM

Papelbon struck out one in a perfect ninth inning during Friday's win over the Mets to notch his 18th save of the season.
EDGE Analysis
He's looked very good since coming off the DL last week, striking out six and allowing no hits or walks in three shutout innings. Barring a flashy trade for someone like Aroldis Chapman, Papelbon should remain locked in as the Nats' closer for the rest of the season.