Papelbon and Red Sox close a one-year deal for $9.35m

[Forkboy]

Despite predictions that Jonathan Papelbon could be the first Red Sox player to go to arbitration during general manager Theo Epstein’s tenure, the closer agreed to a contract yesterday. Papelbon, along with fellow relievers Manny Delcarmen and Ramon Ramirez, are set with one-year deals for 2010.

Those agreements leave Jeremy Hermida as the lone arbitration-eligible player on Boston’s roster, and the outfielder and the team exchanged figures yesterday.

Papelbon signed for the second straight year just before the deadline to exchange arbitration figures, this time for $9.35 million with incentives that could increase his salary to $9.5 million, according to a team source. Papelbon was paid $6.25 million last season, the most ever for a first-year arbitration-eligible closer.

Delcarmen’s deal will pay him $905,000 with a $15,000 incentive if he pitches in 65 games, one more than he pitched in last season, according to a baseball source. The reliever, who was eligible for arbitration for the first time, agreed to terms right around the noon deadline. Delcarmen went 5-2 with 44 strikeouts and 34 walks in 59 2/3 innings in 2009.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2010/01/20/papelbon_and_red_sox_close_a_one_year_deal_for_935m/

[joeybee12]

1. Hmmmm

I repeat, hmmmmm

[Forkboy]

3. Whatcha thinking, Joey?

[joeybee12]

6. I'm thinking...too much...

especially after Game 3 against the halos.

[Kingofalldems]

2. If he's getting that much maybe Lincecum should rethink his position

[Forkboy]

4. Kind of makes the 8 million offer seem like an insult.

And considering he pitches a billion more innings than Pap even the 13 million is too low.

C'mon, Timmy, fight for the big bucks! :)

[flvegan]

5. Sweet!

I'd feel kind of silly watching the Sox wearing my Papelbon jersey if he played for another team.

That's great money for a reliever, too.