Red Sox sign RHP Papelbon to one-year deal

Mar 11, 2007 - 11:54 PM BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox on Sunday signed righthander Jonathan Papelbon to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Papelbon, 26, emerged as an outstanding closer for the Red Sox last season, going 4-2 with 35 saves and a 0.92 ERA.

The runner-up for the American League Rookie of the Year, Papelbon is making the transition to the starting rotation this spring.

The 6-4, 230-pound All-Star burst onto the scene early last year, converting 19 saves in the first two months of the season. He made his 35th save on August 31 but suffered a season-ending shoulder injury the following day.

Papelbon is expected to join a rotation that includes Josh Beckett, Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield and highly touted Japanese rookie Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Also agreeing to one-year contracts Sunday were pitchers Nick Debarr, Manny Delcarmen, Kason Gabbard, Devern Hansack, Kyle Jackson, Jon Lester, Javier Lopez, Edgar Martinez and David Pauley; catcher George Kottaras; infielders Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis; and outfielders Brandon Moss and David Murphy.