« Baseball Today: Friday, March 7
Main
Lineups...from both sides of the state »
March 7, 2008
BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Jonathan Papelbon, who accepted $125,000 less than he had hoped for in his 2008 contract Thursday, nevertheless said he was happy with his one-year deal.
''I'm pleased,'' he said, ''because I feel like I was able to set a precedent for pitchers to come. That was definitely one of my goals and I feel like the Red Sox were on board with that.''
Papelbon's $775,000 salary, agreed to Thursday afternoon, represents the most money ever given to a non-arbitration eligible reliever, topping the mark set almost a decade ago by Mariano Rivera. Papelbon had hoped to match the $900,000 given to Ryan Howard in 2007, but in the end, took less.
''I feel like the Red Sox were very fair,'' he said, ''and I was fair. We can move forward and continue to have a good relationship. Rivera was the one that set the tone 10 years ago. Hopefully, I can follow in his footsteps for years to come.''
For a time, it seemed like Papelbon might have his deal renewed at the Red Sox' choosing, but they were able to reach a settlement.
''You always want to get things done,'' he said. ''It's all part of the process. No feelings were hurt. I don't think anybody wants to renew. It doesn't look good for the club and I didn't want to renew either. We wanted to maintain the good relationship we have.''
General manager Theo Epstein said Thursday that Papelbon understood the Sox' position when they provided him with some context.
''They were saying to me, 'We're putting you as the No. 1 two-year pitcher in history,' '' said Papelbon. ''That was their intent to recognize me. (They were saying,) 'This is pretty much all we can do.'
''I still feel like I deserved what Ryan Howard got, but at the same time, you've got to pick and choose your battles.''
Papelbon said he would listen to any overtures from the club about a multiyear extension. "But I don't think I'll take it into consideration unless it's very inviting.''
Posted by Sean McAdam 
at 10:00 AM | Permalink
