Well we can cross another one off the list of players that the Boston Red Sox have that are arbitration-eligible.
With tonight’s deadline of exchanging figures with arbitration-eligible players fast approaching, Red Sox GM Ben Cherington has avoided going to arbitration again by signing Mike Aviles to a one-year deal worth $1.2 million.
Aviles, who by the way will be a part of the 2012 Red Sox Road Trip that will be stopping in Connecticut on January 21st, came over to the Red Sox on July 30th when he was acquired from the Kansas City Royals for Yamaico Navarro and Kendal Volz. In 38 games with the Red Sox, Aviles hit .317 with two home runs, eight RBIs and four stolen bases.
In 91 total games between the Royals and Red Sox, Aviles hit .255 with seven home runs, 39 RBIs and 14 stolen bases.
Aviles could figure into the outfield mix as well as being a backup infielder with the announcement on Tuesday that Carl Crawford underwent wrist surgery. Aviles has been playing the outfield in winter ball in Puerto Rico for Ponce Leones.
Cherington now has four contracts to go to avoid going to the arbitrator. They are Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Bailey, Daniel Bard and David Ortiz. Besides Aviles, he’s avoided going to arbitration now with Matt Albers, Andrew Miller, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Ryan Sweeney, Franklin Morales and Jacoby Ellsbury.
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