Last week, on the Innes & Bruno Show on WIP, Josh Innes raised some questions about Jonathan Papelbon’s worth to the Phillies. Here’s a quick break-down.

The Oakland A’s drafted Jonathan Papelbon in the 40th round of the 2002 amateur draft, but he refused to sign. The next year, the Boston Red Sox drafted Papelbon in the fourth round of the 2003 amateur draft, and he signed with the Red Sox.

Jonathan Papelbon is a 6-4, 225-pound right-hander.

Papelbon spent parts of three seasons in the minors as a starter while compiling a record of 19-13 with a 3.05 ERA. When he broke in with Boston in 2005, the Red Sox used him as a starter in his first three games. He pitched well but got no-decisions in all three games even though the Sox wound up winning all three games.

And then he was sent to the bullpen.

He blew his first and only save opportunity of that season, but wound up with a 3-1 record and a 2.65 ERA in a total of 17 appearances.

Papelbon became the fulltime closer for the Sox the following season, 2006, and racked up 35 saves with a sparkling 0.92 ERA. In six seasons as the Sox closer, he recorded 219 saves with a 2.33 ERA, made the AL All-Star team four times, and won the World Series in 2007.

On November 14, 2011, Ruben Amaro signed Papelbon as a free agent. This was another one of Amaro’s outrageous contracts – $50,000,000 for four years with 16 vesting options that made it difficult to trade Papelbon.

As of the start of play on May 18, Papelbon has recorded 155 saves with the Phillies – which makes him number-one in that department in Phillies history.

Now let’s look inside his 115 saves.

2012

The Phillies finished in third place in the NL East with a record of 81-81.

Papelbon appeared in 70 games – all in relief and finished 64 of them. Of his 42 save opportunities, he successfully converted 38 while blowing four. His record was 5-6 with a 2.44 ERA.

2013

The Phillies finished in fourth place in the NL East with a record of 73-89. That was the season when Charlie Manuel was fired after going 53-67 and replaced by Ryne Sandberg – who closed the season 20-22.

Papelbon appeared in 61 games – all in relief and finished 54 of them. Of his 36 save opportunities, he successfully converted 29 while blowing seven. His record was 5-1 with a 2.92 ERA.

2014

The Phillies finished in fifth place (last place) in the NL East with a record of 73-89.

Papelbon appeared in 66 games – all in relief and finished 52 of them. Of his 43 save opportunities, he successfully converted 38 while blowing five. His record was 2-3 with a 2.04 ERA.

2015

The Phillies are currently in fifth place (last place) in the NL East with a record of 16-23.

Papelbon has appeared in 16 games – all in relief and finished 15 of them. Of his 9 save opportunities, he successfully completed all nine. His record stands at 0-0 with a 1.13 ERA.

For the $50,000,000 he will have received from his four-year contract with the Phillies, this is what Jonathan Papelbon has delivered thus far:

• 213 Games

• 214 Innings Pitched

• 115 Saves

• 12-10 Record

• 2.36 ERA

• 16 Blown Saves

That works out to $233,644.86 for every inning pitched – and $434,782.61 for each of his 115 saves – for a team that was a non-contender the bulk of Papelbon’s tenure with the Phillies.

You tell me.

Was Jonathan Papelbon worth the money?

Why is Ruben Amaro still the Phillies GM?

Barry Bowe is the author of Born to Be Wild, 1964 – The Year the Phillies Blew the Pennant, and 12 Best Eagles QBs.