"The Red Sox have been successful in locking up their better young players in recent years, coming to terms on long-term contracts with Jon Lester, Dustin Pedroia, and Kevin Youkilis.

Closer Jonathan Papelbon was a determined loner in that regard, taking a series of one-year deals and talking longingly of the time when he would become a free agent.

That road was paved another mile yesterday when Papelbon avoided arbitration by agreeing on a one-year deal worth $12 million. The contract will make him the second-highest-paid relief pitcher in the game. Only Mariano Rivera of the Yankees, at $15 million, will make more."