Nats fans will donate thousands to charity if team cuts Jonathan Papelbon

While we wait to see whether there’s a reckoning within the Washington Nationals organization after Sunday’s embarrassing dugout fight between closer Jonathan Papelbon and star outfielder Bryce Harper, a throng of Nats fans have already made it clear where they stand. And they’re putting their money where their fingers are.

A collection of Nats fans on Twitter have pledged to donate thousands of dollars to charity if the team cuts Papelbon, who started barking at Harper on Sunday after Harper didn’t hustle enough for Papelbon’s liking. Harper yelled back and the whole thing escalated to the point where Papelbon lunged at Harper and grabbed his throat. Now you can literally called the disappointing Nats a bunch of chokers.

To many Nats fans, picking between the Johnny-Come-Lately closer and the likely NL MVP is a no-brainer. They’ve backing Harper all the way. To that point, one fan tweeted at the team Monday morning and pledged $100 to charity if the Nats released Papelbon.

@Nationals I will donate $100 to a charity of your choice if you cut Papelbon today

— Johann (@NLBeastNats) September 28, 2015

The Internet being what it is, dozens upon dozens of people saw this and agreed to do the same. For example:

I’m a broke college student, but I will do this https://t.co/PWEwgcowu2

— danielle sakowitz (@sak0witz) September 28, 2015

@NLBeastNats @Nationals on board. Will donate if the Nats dump Papelbon. Currently they risk my season seats if they don’t.

— Hill’s Kitchen (@hillskitchendc) September 28, 2015

I’ve been unemployed for 4 mos. I’m in for $50. https://t.co/J5klNluwuN

— #MVP Bryce (@34sPompadour) September 28, 2015

@NLBeastNats My mom, who is not on twitter and is not even sure how it works, loves her Nats and said “I’m in!” When I told her about this.

— kit hughes (@katrinki05) September 28, 2015

At the time of this writing, the most current calculation says the Cut Papelbon movement had passed $5,500:

@NLBeastNats passed $5500 with those last RTs

— Jonathan (@NatFan9) September 28, 2015

The finances of the Nats actually cutting Papelbon are another thing entirely. When the Nats agreed to the trade that brought him over from the Philadelphia Phillies in July, they guaranteed Papelbon’s option for 2016 and agreed to pay him $11 million. He has a no-trade clause and a not-so-great reputation that will make it daunting to deal him to another team.

[Play a Daily Fantasy contest for cash today!]

If the Nats really want Papelbon gone, the easiest way is eating $11 million and releasing him. In that case, the team might need all the fundraising fans it can find.

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