Theo Epstein managed to avoid arbitration with closer Jonathan Papelbon for the second straight year, signing him to a one-year, $9.35 million deal, with incentives that could bring the total value to $9.5 million. The contract is the highest for a relief pitcher with four years of service or less, eclipsing Eric Gagne’s $8 million [...]
The Red Sox have been pretty active lately in shaping their 2010 squad, and after making a few signings, this week they face arbitration with four other players: Jonathan Papelbon, Manny Delcarmen, Ramon S. Ramirez, and Jeremy Hermida. Usually, the Red Sox manage to reach deals before going to arbitration, but that may not be [...]