UPDATE — The report that Phillies and closer Ryan Madson have agreed to a four-year, $44 million deal was premature, according to Ken Rosenthal.
President David Montgomery has yet to approve the deal and the Phillies are still considering their other options, which include Boston free agent Jonathan Papelbon.
Nov. 8 — The Phillies and closer Ryan Madson have agreed on a four-year deal that will ink the right-hander for a total of $44 million.
All that’s standing in the way is the OK from president David Montgomery.
The deal will be slightly cheaper than the one Brad Lidge signed after 2008 and will lock up Madson through 2015.
In Madson’s first full season as a closer last year, he locked down 32 of 34 save opportunities. He finished with a 2.37 ERA and 62 strike outs in 60.2 innings pitched.
Todd Zolecki reported the deal could be done by the end of the week, checking off another task on general manager Ruben Amaro’s to-do list. Winning Michael Cuddyer’s heart is on that list along with short stop Jimmy Rollins or his replacement and a long term deal for Cole Hamels.
TTB 