Phillies and Orioles discussed Jonathan Papelbon

The Orioles have recently gone through a mess of a closer situation, losing Jim Johnson to the Athletics, before acquiring the A's former closer, Grant Balfour. That deal came to a screeching halt when the Orioles didn't like what they saw from Balfour's physical - despite Balfour insisting he's 100% fine. The cancellation of the signing cost Balfour a good deal of money.

Nevertheless, Baltimore is still in the hunt for a closer, and had turned their attention reportedly to Fernando Rodney. But like all teams, they're casting a wide net. They must be, if they're asking about Jonathan Papelbon.

And they're in luck; why, just a few weeks back, the Phillies let it be known that they were "extremely motivated" to move their closer, whom only two years ago was given a four-year, $50 million deal (the same deal that makes him somewhat difficult to move).

MASN's Roch Kubatko noted that if a deal were to crystallize, the Phillies would have to be willing to open up and eat a chunk of Papelbon's deal, which still nets him $26 million over the next two years, with a $13 million option for 2016. The Orioles aren't anxious to spend wads of cash, however, and that being the case, it's hard to imagine these conservative offseason Phillies finding a number that makes both parties happy.