Despite their best efforts to prevent as much, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been hindered by a shaky bullpen over their past three seasons.
The inconsistency placed more strain on the club’s starting rotation, particularly come October. The Dodgers attempted to remedy the issue by trading for Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman.
However, the deal came undone amid a report of Chapman’s involvement in an alleged domestic violence incident at his Florida home back in October.
The Reds have for now tabled a Chapman trade. Though, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said recently he doesn’t believe a deal eventually being completed is out of the question.
If the Dodgers are to consider trading for another closer, Jonathan Papelbon of the Washington Nationals may not be among the candidates. Papelbon’s contract includes a list of teams he can block a trade to, which the Dodgers are included on in the latest update, via ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick:
ESPN has obtained Papelbon’s no-trade list for 2015, and it includes the following 17 clubs where he can block a deal: Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays.
The Dodgers were linked to Papelbon prior to the trade deadline in 2014 and 2015. He was dealt to the Nationals in July, and went on to have a rough close to the season.
Papelbon finished the year with 24 saves, a 2.13 ERA, 3.70 FIP, 1.03 WHIP, and 56 strikeouts to 12 walks over 63.1 innings.
However, he also was involved in a dugout skirmish with Nationals teammate and National League MVP Bryce Harper, during which the fiery closer grabbed Harper around the neck.
Papelbon recently filed a grievance against the Nationals, challenging their decision to suspend him without pay for the final four games of last season.
