Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jonathan Papelbon expressed again his desire to leave and be traded to a contending team before the July 31 deadline in a statement last Monday.
"That's not what I signed up for. I signed up with a team that won 102 games, and I expected certain things. It didn't happen, and I've tried to ride that ship and keep my mouth shut as much as I can. But it's time for the Phillies to you-know-what or get off the pot," Papelbon said according to ESPN.
Before Papelbon headed to Philadelphia following the 2011 season, the club had a 102-60 record winning their fifth consecutive National League East title.
The 34-year-old, in his search for another World Series victory, was persuaded by the Phillies' astounding season and joined them inking a four-year, $50 million free-agent contract.
Since his arrival, the Phillies has struggled and currently holds a terrible 29-62 record this season.
"I feel like three years is plenty enough time to ride it out, so to speak. If the fans don't understand that, I can't really side with them," Papelbon also said.
The 2007 World Series champion added that if he had the power, he would not have been there anymore.
In a report by ESPN, among the clubs that have shown interest in the six-time All-Star are the Chicago Cubs and the Toronto Blue Jays.
Despite the setbacks with the club, Papelbon said there is one thing that will not change and that is the way he competes either he stays with the Phillies or gets traded to another club.
Papelbon does not know if it is selfish but he emphasized that if he stays with the Phillies, he will only be playing for himself, his own name and career, not letting the club's current situation affect the way he performs.
