Washington Nationals reliever Jonathan Papelbon recently purchased a rather expensive home in the D.C. area. Can you say bad timing?
According to the Washington Business Journal, Papelbon and his wife Ashley closed on a $2.9 million home in Belle Haven on Sept. 14. The five-bedroom house was assessed at $1.5 million.
Why might that be an issue? As you have probably heard, Papelbon and Nationals superstar Bryce Harper got in a fight in the dugout over the weekend. Papelbon was apparently angry that Harper did not hustle on a routine fly ball, and the closer was seen on camera choking his younger teammate. As a result, Papelbon has been suspended for the remainder of the season.
Papelbon, 34, is under contract next season with a salary of $11 million. He would be very difficult to trade, but Nationals fans are already crying for the team to release the veteran.
Of course, Washington would have to pay Papelbon the $11 million he is owed in 2016 if they decide to cut him. That should help him cover the cost of his new home, even if Pap and his wife had bigger plans for the place.
