Jonathan Papelbon is one player that not only Phillies management but also Phillies fans are dying to see this season – dying to see this season, that is, in any uniform other than a Phillies uniform. Most Philly fans, at least the ones I’ve talked to, want to see Jonathan Papelbon traded.

But it ain’t gonna be easy.

Last week, the Phillies were negotiating a trade that would have sent Papelbon to the Milwaukee Brewers – and nobody really cared who the Phillies were getting back in return. The key was shipping Papelbon out of town. But those negotiations flopped.

Brewers GM Doug Melvin admitted that were trade-talks between the Brewers and the Phillies, but he said that those talks have “dissipated.”

Papelbon has a partial no-trade contract that would be problematic to any team who actually wants to acquire the Phillies closer. His contract with the Phillies calls for $13-million this season – plus a vesting option for 2016 for an additional $13-million. The option would apply if Papelbon finishes 48 games this season.

Now, if the Phillies are stuck with Papelbon this season – and it looks like they are – they can manipulate his appearances so that he doesn’t finish 48 games this season. Actually, it’s something that should be done. Ken Giles should be given every opportunity to become the Phillies closer. He fits into the team’s future – Papelbon does not.

That would mean that this season would be Papelbon’s last season in Philly.

However, if a new team acquires Papelbon, one would assume it’s because that team wants to use him as their closer. That would mean Papelbon would be given the opportunity to finish 48 games this season. If that happens, the new team would be stuck paying him another $13-million next season – even if he stinks the joint out this season.

Papelbon will be 34 this season.

It seems to me that the only way the Phillies could move this guy is if some team with pennant aspirations is in dire need of a closer around the trade deadline.

Looks to me like we’re stuck with him for another year.

Who in hell negotiated his contract?

Barry Bowe is the author of 1964 – The Year the Phillies Blew the Pennant.