Boston, MA (My Sportsbook) - The Boston Red Sox avoided salary arbitration with pitchers Jonathan Papelbon and Javier Lopez, agreeing to one- year, non-guarenteed deals with both players on Tuesday. Papelbon's deal is reportedly worth $6.25 million, a tremendous increase after he made $775,000 last season. Lopez's pact is worth a reported $1.35 million. The right-handed Papelbon went 5-4 with a 2.34 ERA in 2008 and recorded 41 saves, which was good for the third-most in the American League. The 28-year- old is one of four pitchers ever to record 30 or more saves in at least each of his first three big-league seasons, joining Billy Koch (4), Kazuhiro Sasaki (3) and Todd Worrell (3). Papelbon also trails Bob Stanley (132) for second in BoSox history with 113 saves. In 2008, Lopez hurled a career-high 59.1 innings en route to a 2-0 record with a 2.43 ERA. The lefty held southpaws to a .182 batting average and closed out the year with a season-high 12 consecutive scoreless innings over his final 15 games. Lopez has compiled an 11-5 record with a 4.38 ERA over six seasons with the Rockies, Diamondbacks and Red Sox. |
