Red Sox, Ryan Sweeney Avoid Arbitration

The Boston Red Sox have signed Ryan Sweeney to a one-year, $1.75 million contract and avoid arbitration according to the Associated Press via the Boston Herald. This was the second time Sweeney was eligible for arbitration.

Sweeney was acquired by the Red Sox via trade with the Oakland A's back in December along with Andrew Bailey in exchange for Josh Reddick. Sweeney, 26, enters his 7th season and is a career .283 / .342 / .378 hitter, with 17 stolen bases and 14 home runs over the span. (read: no speed, no power).

• Ryan Sweeney takes Red Sox’s $1.75 million, 1-year deal - BostonHerald.com
  "Sweeney, who could have filed for arbitration, made $1.4 million last year with the Oakland Athletics. He is expected to compete for playing time in right field, where the Red Sox have a vacancy after deciding not to retain free agent J.D. Drew [stats] and trading Josh Reddick to Oakland."
• Boston Red Sox Acquire Andrew Bailey, Ryan Sweeney - MLB Daily Dish
  The Boston Red Sox have acquired right-handed closer Andrew Bailey from the Oakland Athletics, according to Buster Olney of ESPN. The Red Sox will send outfielder Josh Reddick to Oakland, Buster Olney reports. The Red Sox also got Ryan Sweeney.