Paps Cashes In by Jared Carrabis
Papelbon receives record deal, Lopez gets raise


According to Boston.com’s Extra Bases, Jonathan Papelbon has agreed to a one-year extension to avoid an arbitration hearing.

In doing so, the Boston closer will be rewarded with the highest salary to any relief pitcher in their first year of arbitration eligibility. The three-time All Star closer will be paid $6.25 million in 2009, a $5.5 million raise from 2008. Last October, Papelbon set the Major League record for most scoreless postseason innings to begin a career when he racked up his 25th consecutive goose egg in the month of October.

Coming up to the Major League level on July 31, 2005 as a starter, Papelbon has since compiled 113 saves with a remarkable 1.84 ERA. If it weren’t for such a complete team effort en route to Boston’s second World Series title in four years, then Papelbon likely would have been a runaway for World Series MVP when the Sox claimed victory in 2007 to the ultimate prize.

Papelbon holds the single season record for most saves by a rookie closer with 35. The very next season he became the first Red Sox pitcher to record consecutive 30 save seasons when he racked up 37 saves. This past season in 2008, Papelbon continued to raise the bar by closing out a career best 41 games while pitching in a career high 69.1 innings. He is the only pitcher in Red Sox history to have three 30 save seasons in their career, never mind three consecutive 30 save seasons.

The Red Sox closer is just 28-years-old and will surely be a staple in this Red Sox bullpen for years to come. The graduate of Mississippi State has established himself as one of the premier closers in the game and has the golden opportunity to go down as one of the greatest closers the game has ever seen if he remains healthy.

The Red Sox have also secured the services of left-handed reliever, Javier Lopez, by bringing him back on a one-year deal worth $1.35 million. This past season, Lopez recorded his lowest ERA (2.43) since joining the Red Sox in 2006. He also made 70 appearances (his most since joining the Red Sox). His 70 appearances were good for fourth in the American League as he held left-handed batters to a .182 batting average. His stellar season earned him a $510,000 raise to remain in the Black Pearl.

By signing the two relievers to one-year deals, Theo Epstein has avoided an arbitration hearing with every single player that has been eligible since the native of Brookline took the office of Red Sox general manager. The Red Sox have set the prime example that their organization has one of the best player development departments in the game today. With Dustin Pedroia signing an extension worth $40.5 million, Kevin Youkilis inking a deal worth $41.25 million and now Jonathan Papelbon setting records with his $6.25 million deal, homegrown talent has certainly been rewarded here in Boston.

Just a word of advice to you Mr. Papelbon: keep that $6.25 million paycheck away from your dog, Boss

-Jared Carrabis

Published on January 20, 2009

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