Nationals acquire All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon from Phillies

All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon made it loud and clear that he wanted the Philadelphia Phillies to trade him.

His wish was granted Tuesday when the Phillies and Washington Nationals agreed to a trade.

The addition of Papelbon is an upgrade for the Nationals relief corp, which ranks seventh in National League in bullpen ERA. It also puts the six-time All-Star closer on contending team.

Papelbon's addition also means Drew Storen will be moved from his closer job and to primarily a setup role. Storen was 29 for 31 in save chances this season.

"Papelbon is our ninth-inning pitcher," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said. "Drew will pitch the ninth inning at times when Papelbon is unavailable and be our setup guy in the eighth inning as we are constructed today. Paps hasn't pitched too many three-days-in-a-row stints. We're going to be careful with him and we feel that we've got two terrific, elite ninth-inning guys who can close out games in pressure situations."

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Papelbon is in the midst of one of his finest seasons for a last-place club. He is 17-for-17 in save chances and has a 1.59 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings.

As part of the deal, the Nationals and Papelbon agreed to restructure the value of his 2016 club option of $13 to a guaranteed 11 million next year.

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"This guy wants to win," Rizzo said. "First and foremost, he wants to win. He's a winner. He's won his whole career. He excels in pressure situations and that's his personality. Does it grate on the opposition at times? Yes, it does, but he comes with high credentials, high praise from his teammates and guys who have been around him."

In exchange, the Phillies will receive right-hander Nick Pivetta, who had a 2.29 ERA in 15 games at High-A Potomac (Va.) and a 7.20 ERA in three starts at Class AA Harrisburg (Pa.).

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