Papelbon Trade Could Happen Soon As Phillies GM Admits Talking To Multiple Teams

Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. — Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. talks to reporters before a spring training game against the Detroit Tigers in Clearwater, Florida, in 2012. Reuters/Steve Nesius

Ruben Amaro Jr., general manager for the Philadelphia Phillies, admitted in an interview that the team is progressing in possible trades with various clubs weeks before the trade deadline. Amaro was specific on Jonathan Papelbon, who demanded a trade out of Philadelphia earlier in the season.

"There's live discussions going on right now regarding Pap," Amaro said on the WIP Morning Show as reported by CSN Philly. "I do believe that there's enough of a market that we can probably get something done. But again, I don't necessarily believe in 'probably.' ... There's a lot of clubs that are interested in a lot of our players, and we have to sort through it and make the right deals.”

Amaro also said Papelbon pitched “very, very well this year” and that the veteran has good value in the trade market.

The 34-year-old pitcher has a career win-loss record of 36-30 with 2.33 ERA, 756 strikeouts and 339 saves. He made the All-Star squad this season and makes his sixth appearance in the midseason showcase also playing in the All-Star game from 2006 to 2009 and 2012.

Papelbon has insisted during his trade demands that he wants to go to a team that has a chance to win the World Series. He reiterated that stand recently in interviews during the All-Star festivities.

"I wouldn’t go anywhere, no. I’m not [going to] go to a team that’s 18 games out of first. I want to go to a contender. I feel like I’m to the point in my career where I’ve earned a no-trade clause and I’ve been able to get to that point. I’ve got to use it, but at the same time I’m also not going to just use it and be dumb about it,” Papelbon said via SB Nation.

“I do want to get out of Philly, but I need to make a smart decision. I’ll make a decision that’s best for me to go to contend and win a championship. That’s basically what my whole decision is going to be based on."

Barring a miracle, the Phillies, who own a 29-62 win-loss record or the last place in the National League so far, won't make the MLB playoffs this year.