Papelbon, Pedroia get new deals
Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon was very outspoken about his possible renewal, saying it would be like a slap in the face. He hoped to work out a deal before getting a renewal that would give him $900,000, the amount recorded by Ryan Howard’s renewal last year.
Papelbon didn’t get that, but he will set a new benchmark for closers with two-plus years of service time. His new $775,000 contract will overtake the previous record of $750,000, which was held by Mariano Rivera.
Papelbon wasn’t the only member of the World Champions to get a new deal today. Dustin Pedroia, the reigning American League Rookie of the Year, agreed to a contract worth $457,000 for 2008. Pedroia’s contract is $2,000 more than that of Ryan Braun, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year.
Filed under: Boston Red Sox, Dustin Pedroia, Jonathan Papelbon