Andrew Bailey is the Latest Boston Red Sox Player to Avoid Arbitration

Published: 26^th Jan 12 11:03 am

Matt Sullivan
Sully

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Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

The Red Sox reached an agreement with their new closer, Andrew Bailey, for a one year $3.9M contract avoiding arbitration. Bailey was acquired from the Oakland A’s along with right-fielder Ryan Sweeney for Josh Reddick, and two prospects. Sweeney avoided arbitration earlier this month as well. With Andrew Bailey’s agreement, which comes just five days after the Red Sox reached a deal with Daniel Bard to avoid arbitration, the Red Sox have only two players still on route to arbitration hearings; Alfredo Aceves and David Ortiz.

The Red Sox have not gone to arbitration often since Theo Epstein took over the team in 2003 and Ben Cherington seems to be following Theo’s lead here. Alfredo Aceves, who emerged as a versatile swing man last season and lead the team in relief innings pitched seems unlikely to go all the way to a hearing as well. Boston clearly values him and would not benefit from having to disparage his body of work to save a few hundred thousand dollars. Aceves has filed for an award of $1.6M in his first year of eligibility while Boston has countered with $950,000. He will likely be able to work something out for around $1.2-$1.3M.

David Ortiz, however, seems bound for the arbitrator. He has filed for $16.5M and the Red Sox have countered with $12.65M. After being unable to find a competitive offer or a multi-year deal on the free agent market, Ortiz accepted arbitration with Boston. The Red Sox have essentially said they will pay the same as 2011, which is likely the top of the market for his services given the tepid interest he received from other teams. Ortiz is coming off a sensational year and he clearly hopes that the mediator will reward that with a pay raise. The Red Sox position seems stronger to me, at least at face value. In past arbitration hearing, however, the decisions have often been dictated byt numbers such as RBIs, batting average and home runs. Ortiz has a strong case where those numbers are concerned, especially given the low production of other DHs last season.