So It Begins: Papelbon the First Phillie to Go

Jack Merlino

In what was likely the first raindrop in a monsoon of trades that the Phillies will be a part of, Jonathan Papelbon finally got his wish and was sent to a contender: the Washington Nationals.

Pap, who was one of the best at his craft this season, will add talent to a bullpen that more or less didn't need it, at least in that area. Drew Storen, who was the Nats' closer to date, went 29-for-31 in save opportunities and was rewarded by being moved back to the 8th-inning role. Despite that, in either order they are the 1st and 2nd best relievers on the staff, and can convert more gems from the Nats' starters into victories, something that the team has struggled with given their 52-46 record.

In return, the Phillies will receive Double-A starting pitcher Nick Pivetta. Pivetta, who is 7-6 with a 3.02 ERA on the season between High-A and Double-A, should add more nice depth to that Reading rotation which began the year as arguably the best in the minors. At 6'5'' and 220 lbs., Pivetta features a fastball that sits in the low-mid 90's but has hit 97 mph, a sharp curveball that could be a plus pitch, and a changeup that is average at best. After he was drafted, Nationals scouting director Kris Kline was quoted as saying "This kid to me is a [no.3] starter with the potential to be higher just because he has so much upside."

With his combination of size, stuff, and low strikeout numbers (lifetime 6.8/9 innings in 3 minor-league seasons), Pivetta reminds me of current Phillies prospect Ben Lively. Even if he doesn't pan out to be the starter that some people hope he will be, he's got the repertoire to be a solid power-reliever. Getting that for Jonathan Papelbon; an overpaid, outspoken, 34-year old closer, shouldn't be seen as anything other than a good return for Ruben Amaro and the Phillies.