The Red Sox avoided arbitration with 2 key players & signed one-year deals with Jonathan Papelbon & Jacoby Ellsbury.
Pap gets a bump from $9 + million last year to $12 million. Since 2011 is his last year of arbitration Papelbon will be a free agent next year. Given his large salary, the probability is that this is #58's last season as the Red Sox closer. Pap will no doubt be a focal point early in the season since Theo has loaded the bullpen with other arms who can close. If he fails, there are options.
Jacoby Ellsbury, even though injured for the bulk of 2010, get a nice bump in salary from $400,000 + to $2.4 million plus incentives. Ells will be looking to stay on the field this year & put up numbers similar to 2009 where he stole 70 bases. Given the lineup behind him, he should see a lot of good pitches to hit.
Two more pieces to the 2011 roster are finalized. Can't wait for Spring Training in 1 more month.
1 comment:
Initially, there was speculation that Papelmouth was on a short leash. It was thought that should he falter, he would become immediate trade bait, given the arms backing him up. A $12 million contract, however, would not be an easy thing to trade. It appears they are investing in him for the long haul.
Ellsbury, it seems, is a short leash. He has the huge upside, and a very small contract. If he is slow out of the gate, relegation to back up, or trade is more doable.
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