According to multiple sources, the Boston Red Sox have signed recently acquired closer Andrew Bailey to a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration. Bailey's deal will pay him $3.9 million in 2012 with extra incentives which could add an additional $100,000 to his salary.
Bailey was reportedly seeking $4.17 million while the Red Sox came in at about $3.35 million, putting the total value of the deal right in the middle of these two figures.
Bailey was acquired by the Red Sox back on Dec. 28 from the Oakland Athletics along with right fielder Ryan Sweeney for a package of Josh Reddick and minor league prospects Miles Head and Raul Alcantara. Bailey was acquired months after the Red Sox decided to let former closer Jonathan Papelbon depart via free agency to the Philadelphia Phillies.
With a contract being agreed upon, Bailey will join Jacoby Ellsbury, Daniel Bard, Mike Aviles, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Ryan Sweeney and Franklin Morales as Red Sox players who avoided arbitration with one-year deals. The Red Sox still have two arbitration eligible players left in David Ortiz and Alfredo Aceves.
The Red Sox have not gone to arbitration with a player since 2002.
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