Babes Love Baseball

Jonathan Papelbon has declared his $775,000 salary the standard for young pitchers everywhere.

"I'm pleased because I feel like I was able to somewhat set a precedent for pitchers to come," he said.

The Boston Red Sox signed the 27-year-old righty to a one-year deal on Thursday, raising his salary from the $425,500 he made last season, when he saved 37 games with an incredible 1.85 ERA. Paps can earn an extra $25,000 if he makes the All-Star team for what would be his third straight year.

The Sox also agreed to one-year deals with 17 other unsigned players, including rookie of the year Dustin Pedroia, stud center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and talented lefty Jon Lester.

Check out Tom Fornelli of Foul Balls and AOL Fanhouse, Matt Sussman of and Blog Critics, Tuffy of Refrigerator Logic and myself on Blog Talk Radio's Treehouse Fort this evening at 7pm CST, as we discuss what horrors the AL Central holds for this season.

[Hartford Courant] | [Baseball Mastermind] | [SOX & Dawgs] | [Opposite Fields]