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Papelbon talks continue

Print | Comments () Posted by Gordon Edes, Globe Staff March 3, 2008 01:46 PM

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FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Jonathan Papelbon was here this afternoon with his agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, to continue talks with the Sox over a new deal.

Papelbon was paid $425,000 in 2007 and told the Providence Journal's Sean McAdam that the $900,000 contract slugger Ryan Howard signed with the Phillies when Howard was at a similar service level was a reasonable benchmark for the Sox closer. The Red Sox, meanwhile, have likely referenced the fact that White Sox closer Bobby Jenks, whose service time is virtually identical to Papelbon, last week signed a one-year deal for $550,000.

While a multiyear deal has been discussed, indications from both sides suggest that is unlikely to be struck. The guess here is that Papelbon will sign a one-year deal for a figure north of Jenks's deal, but short of Howard's $900,000.