Contract agreement day 2008!

Posted on March 6, 2008
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The Red Sox reached an agreement with 18 players today. Jonathan Papelbon got his wish and a raise while 5 other players that saw playing time in Boston last season also got a pay hike.

Clay Buchholz – $396,000
Manny Delcarmen – $421,000
Jacoby Ellsbury – $406,000
Jon Lester – $421,500
Jonathan Papelbon – $750,000*
Dustin Pedroia – $457,000

The minimum that these guys could have been signed for in 2008 was $390,000. I’d say that a ROTY second baseman is worth a measly $67,000 extra. Papelbon on the other hand is now tied with Mariano Rivera as the highest paid relief pitcher in history with 2 full seasons of service time.

Other players that reached an agreement were:
Pitchers: David Aardsma, Craig Breslow, Bryan Corey, Devern Hansack, Kyle Jackson, Edgar Martinez, and David Pauley
Catchers: Dusty Brown and George Kottaras
Infielders: Chris Carter and Argenis Diaz
Outfielder: Brandon Moss

* – Papelbon will receive an additional $25,000 bonus if he makes the All-Star team in 2008