Papelbon gave up a hit and struck out one in a shutout inning Saturday to notch his 15th save of the season.

He continues to supply solid value as the Phillies' closer, and his current 1.77 ERA would actually be the second-best mark of his career. Unless he gets traded into a setup role, Papelbon should remain one of the better second-tier fantasy closer options.

Papelbon reiterated Monday that he wants to be traded, CSN Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury reports.

The Phillies presumably don't have any objections in theory, but they need to find a taker for Papelbon's contract. The 34-year-old reliever is signed for $13 million this season, with a $13 million vesting option for 2016 that will kick in if he reaches 48 games (he's already pitched in 32). He also has a partial no-trade clause, which he might not be willing to waive unless his new team were to fully guarantee the vesting option. A deal will probably get worked out by July 31, but it won't be an easy matter to settle unless the Phillies deal Papelbon to a team that's not on his no-trade list, and also agree to pay some of his salary. Once/if Papelbon is traded, Ken Giles will step in as the closer for a team that won't provide many save opportunities. There is perhaps some chance Papelbon will draw interest from teams that want to use him as a setup man, which could provide yet another obstacle in negotiations.

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon reiterated his desire to be traded Monday, according to CSN Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon reiterated his desire to be traded Monday, according to CSN Philadelphia. Papelbon has been vocal about moving to a contending team before the July 31 trade deadline, saying that the Phillies are no longer the team he signed with in 2011. “I signed up on a team that won 102 games that was expecting certain things. Now, it didn’t happen and I’ve tried to ride that ship as much as I can," Papelbon told WEEI.com. "I’ve tried to keep my mouth shut as much as I can. I feel like three years is plenty enough of time to ride it out, so to speak. And if fans can’t understand, I can’t really side with them on that. I’m getting older and I don’t know how many more years I have left in this game. I don’t know how many All-Star Games I have left. None of that is guaranteed. But for me, I’m just trying to be on a winning ball club.”

Papelbon allowed a hit and struck out one during a scoreless ninth inning Sunday against the Nationals to earn his 14th save of the season.

The 34-year-old is now 14-for-14 in save opportunities and lowered his ERA to 1.82 after Sunday's performance. The only thing working against Papelbon's fantasy stock is a lack of chances for a terrible Phillies team, but a trade seems likely at some point this season and could provide a boost for his owners.

The Phillies have spoken to the Blue Jays about Papelbon recently, CSN Philadelphia reports.

This isn't the first time the two sides have discussed Papelbon. He can block a trade to Toronto, but said earlier this year that he would waive his no trade rights to go there. Papelbon's contract remains the biggest stumbling block to a deal. He needs to finish just 26 more games this season for his $13 million option for 2016 to vest. He will likely require that money to be guaranteed up front to accept a trade to any team on his no trade list. Ken Giles will take over closing duties in Philly if Papelbon gets dealt.

Papelbon picked up his 12th save of the season Sunday with a scoreless inning against the Giants.

The Phillies are one of the worst teams in the league this season, so save chances have been limited for Papelbon. He has made his opportunities count and is now a perfect 12-for-12 in save chances.

Papelbon struck out two in a perfect ninth to pick up his 11th save of the season Wednesday against the Rockies.

Papelbon is now 11-for-11 in save opportunities this season to go along with a pristine 1.50 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. He also has an impressive 23:4 K:BB ratio in 18 innings of work this season.

Papelbon worked a perfect ninth inning of Saturday, striking out two, to notch his ninth save of the season.

He's now got a 1.13 ERA and 18:4 K:BB ratio in 16 innings on the season. The Phillies continue to hold out hope that another team will be willing to overpay for Papelbon in a deal, but at least he isn't doing anything to hurt his trade value in the meantime.

Papelbon pitched a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to pick up his seventh save of the season.

Papelbon, who is now the Phillies' all-time saves leader with 113, got some help from Jeff Francoeur who gunned down the potential tying run at home plate. He is a perfect 7-for-7 in save opportunities this season.

Papelbon (illness) allowed a solo home run, but retired the rest of the hitters he faced to pick up his fourth save of the season Sunday.

Papelbon, who missed time recently due to an illness, has a 1.23 ERA and a 7:1 K:BB ratio in 7.1 innings this season.

Papelbon missed Friday's game due to an illness, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

It is unclear if Papelbon will be available Saturday. He has three saves and has not allowed a run in 6.1 innings this season.

Papelbon picked up his third save of the season Saturday, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.

He's doing nothing to hurt his trade value so far, as Papelbon has allowed just a single baserunner through his first 4.1 innings of the season.

Papelbon collected his second save of the season with a clean ninth inning to protect a 4-1 Phillies' lead in their win over Washington on Friday night.

He would love to be traded, the Philadelphia fans would love to see him go, and the rebuilding team would love to accommodate both if they could find someone willing to take on some of his robust salary. Until that happens, he'll likely the remain the closer while set-up man Ken Giles waits patiently to step in.

Papelbon collected his first save of the year Wednesday by pitching 1.1 perfect innings with a strikeout against the Red Sox.

Ken Giles made a mess of the eighth inning, but the veteran closer was there to pick him up. A sharp first outing of the year for Papelbon, who should again be one of the game's better closers, but is at risk of being traded away from a bad Phillies team whose fans he's alienated.

Papelbon was consistently hitting 93 mph with his fastball Saturday during his first out of the spring, CSN Philadelphia reports.

Papelbon's fastball velocity has been declining the past few seasons. He averaged 91.2 mph on his fastball last year. Seeing higher velocity this early in camp is a good sign. Papelbon will open the season as the Phillies' closer, but the club hopes to move him at some point as part of their rebuilding efforts.

Manager Ryne Sandberg said Papelbon will be the Phillies' closer this season, the team's official site reports.

It was pretty much a given, but the question was asked because Papelbon needs to finish 48 games this season to have his $13 million club option for 2016 vest. The option year has created some difficulties for the Phillies in their attempts to trade Papelbon this winter. He has finished no fewer than 52 games in each of the previous eight seasons, making the option a near lock to be executed provided Papelbon stays healthy. If the Phillies can trade Papelbon this spring, Ken Giles would be the favorite to close.

GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said trade talks for Papelbon are still alive, CSN Philadelphia reports. "We're still having discussion and not just with one club," Amaro said.

Amaro would not name the teams the Phillies have talked to, but Milwaukee is considered the most viable trade partner. Toronto has also expressed interest. The sticking point in talks has been Papelbon's $13 million option for 2016, which he wants guaranteed in order to waive his no trade clause.

The Phillies have recently had trade talks with the Brewers involving Papelbon, CSN Philadelphia reports.

Milwaukee is one of the teams Papelbon can block a trade to, but he indicated during last season that he would be willing to waive his no trade clause to move to a contender. He also reportedly wants his $13 million option for 2016 picked up in order to waive his no trade clause. Ken Giles would take over as the Phillies' closer if Papelbon gets dealt before the season begins.

Papelbon logged his 39th save with a scoreless ninth inning against Atlanta on Friday night.

He allowed one hit and struck out one. Papelbon (39 saves, 2.04 ERA) just returned from a seven game suspension earlier in the week, and as expected, immediately stepped back into the closer's role. He has now converted both save chances since his reinstatement.

Papelbon tossed a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 38th save of the season Wednesday against the Marlins.

Papelbon was reinstated from his seven-game suspension Tuesday and also resumed his role as Philadelphia's closer, pushing Ken Giles back to setup duties.