Red Sox ink Papelbon, avoid arbitration

BOSTON, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- The Boston Red Sox have signed premier closer Jonathan Papelbon to a one-year, $9.35 million contract, thus avoiding arbitration.

The deal means the right-hander can become a free agent after the 2011 season.

The four-time all-star has compiled a franchise-record 151 saves in four major league seasons. In 268 games, all with Boston, the hard-throwing Papelbon, 29, has a 1.84 ERA with 346 strikeouts in 298 innings.

Last season, the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder made 38 saves in 41 chances with a 1.85 ERA, limiting batters to a .198 average with 10.45 strikeouts per nine innings.

The Boston Globe reported six other closers will make more money than Papelbon in 2010 -- Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees ($15 million), Francisco Cordero of Cincinnati ($12 million), Brad Lidge and Francisco Rodriguez of the New York Mets ($11.5 million), Joe Nathan of Minnesota ($11.25 million), and Kerry Wood of Cleveland ($10.5 million).