Red Sox settle with Matt Barnes to avoid arbitration

The Red Sox tendered a contract to their remaining arbitration-eligible players on Wednesday.

Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes, the best reliever remaining after Brandon Workman was traded over the summer, settled for $4.5 million, according to a source. It’s his last season under contract before free agency.

Back-up catcher Kevin Plawecki, who hit .344 while handling the defensive duties well, settled for $1.6 million.

Also settling were relievers Austin Brice ($870,000) and Ryan Brasier ($1.25 million).

The Red Sox did not agree to a salary with first-time arbitration-eligible third baseman Rafael Devers before the 8 p.m. ET deadline, but will undoubtedly tender him a contract with a salary to be determined later, perhaps through arbitration if the team and player can’t agree. For comparison, other notable Red Sox’ first-time arbitration salaries include Xander Bogaerts ($4.5 million), Andrew Benintendi ($3.4 million) and Mookie Betts ($10.5 million).

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/33yoAjd