WASHINGTON — Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo sounds very much like someone prepared to enter next season with Jonathan Papelbon as his closer, despite the pitcher's dugout brouhaha with NL MVP Bryce Harper last September.
While not ruling out trading Papelbon, Rizzo spoke glowingly about the right-hander to reporters during a conference call on Saturday, a day after Washington sent former closer Drew Storen to the Toronto Blue Jays for outfielder Ben Revere.
"We see Papelbon as being one of our late-inning relievers. He's been very effective at it his entire career, including last year, except for the last portion of the season," Rizzo said.