Papelbon doesn't get his wish to be traded

WASHINGTON -- Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon practically begged to be traded to a contender before Thursday's non-waiver Trade Deadline, but he did not get his wish.

It was not a surprise. He signed a four-year, $50 million contract before the 2012 season and that contract almost certainly prevented the Phillies from dealing him. He is owed $13 million next season with a $13 million club option that automatically vests based on 55 games finished next season or 100 games finished in 2014-15.

"It's not my decision," Papelbon said, when asked if he wants to stay in Philadelphia. "Whatever happens, happens. I have to do whatever the GM decides to do with me."

Papelbon has a limited no-trade clause, although he said he would have waived it. But he also said he would not have accepted a trade if he were headed to a team that already has a closer. He has no interest in being a setup man.

"I don't set up," he said. "And you should know that."

Even if it meant a chance to win another World Series?

"The chance to win a World Series is with me closing," he said. "Period."

Interestingly, Papelbon said he met recently with Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. about the direction of the team. He said he liked what he heard.

"Ruben had promised me that, going forward, we were still going to compete and, no matter what it took to put a winning product on the field, he was going to do it," Papelbon said. "If he could trade me and the trade was right for both the Phillies and the other ball club, then a trade could happen. But if it wasn't right for the Phillies, he wasn't going to do it. At the same time, he also promised me that we were going to compete year after year and there's no rebuilding here with the Phillies. So that was a big boost for me."

Papelbon acknowledged he did not hear an actual plan from Amaro, nor did he ask for one.

"I don't think Ruben is a person who is just going to say something and then not be able to do it," Papelbon said. "I think he's honest in his decision-making, and what he says he goes out and tries to do it."