MIAMI -- The Nationals are making progress in trying to acquire Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon, two baseball sources confirmed to MLB.com. The first to report that talks were heating up between the two clubs was FOXSports.com.
"It's serious," the source said of the discussions on Papelbon.
One source indicated that the Nats may be willing to take on most of Papelbon's salary this year as well as his $13 million option for 2016, which could vest soon. Papelbon needs to finish 14 more games to guarantee the deal for next year.
Papelbon's contract also provides him limited no-trade protection.