According to multiple reports, Jonathan Papelbon and the Boston Red Sox have agreed in principle to a one-year, $9.35 million deal. The deal was reached just before Tuesday's noon deadline of preliminary arbitration hearings.
Red Sox Avoid Arbitration, Sign Papelbon To One-Year Deal
This is the second straight year that the two sides have struck a deal just before the arbitration deadline. In 2009, Papelbon earned $6.25 million, a record for first-time arbitration-eligible pitchers. In 2010, he will receive a 44% raise, and will be the seventh-highest paid closer in baseball.
This deal also means GM Theo Epstein has never once had to settle a contract in arbitration, which was no small feat when it came to Papelbon, something our Red Sox blog Over The Monster highlights.
Reaching an agreement with Papelbon an avoiding arbitration was one of the Red Sox biggest challenges this offseason. Papelbon has never been shy about discussing his salary goals, and this one-year deal makes him the highest paid reliever in history with only four years of service time. As for the Red Sox, it’s no bargain but they’re getting their money’s worth in one of the best relievers in the league. Time will tell if Boston will pony up even bigger bucks to do a multi-year deal with the fireballer, but at least we’ll be able to enjoy another year of dominating performances from Papelbon.
Statistically, Papelbon’s 2009 was not his best: he walked a career-high 24 batters and posted a 1.147 WHIP, the highest of his career save for 2005, when he pitched just 34 innings.
See More:
