Theo Epstein’s track record of avoiding arbitration with players grew by one today as Javier Lopez agreed to terms with the Boston Red Sox. The deal is for 1-year $840,000.
Lopez made $402,500 last season with the Red Sox. He appeared in 61 games and that was second on the team to Hideki Okajima, who made 66 appearances out of the bullpen.
According to Rob Bradford of the Boston Herald, Kyle Snyder gave the Red Sox his number for arbitration, $1.025 million. Snyder made $535,000 last season, so he is looking to double his salary as well. He appeared in 46 games, all out of the bullpen, for the Sox in 2007.
Update: Kevin Youkilis submitted a number of $3.7 million while the Red Sox have countered with $2.525 million. The Red Sox number for Synder is $725,000.
