On July 29, 2015 the Philadelphia Phillies ended weeks of speculation when they traded closer Jonathan Papelbon to the division rival Washington Nationals. In exchange, the Phillies received a little-known pitching prospect by the name of Nick Pivetta.
If you ask most Phillies fans today, you will find very few who view Papelbon in a positive light. It wasn’t always that way. In November of 2011, then general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. inked the former Boston Red Sox star to a four-year, $50 million free agent deal with a fifth year club vesting option.