Red Sox agree to terms with right-handed pitcher Burke Badenhop on one-year contract

BOSTON, MA-The Boston Red Sox today agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Burke Badenhop on a one-year, non-guaranteed contract for the 2014 season, thus avoiding salary arbitration. Terms were not disclosed.
 
Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington made the announcement.
 
Badenhop was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for minor league pitcher Luis Ortega on November 22, 2013. The 30-year-old went 2-3 with a 3.47 ERA (24 ER/62.1 IP) in 63 relief appearances for the Brewers in 2013. He held right-handed batters to a .229 average (35-for-153) and finished the season with a 2.05 ERA (5 ER/22.0 IP) over his last 21 games of the season, allowing earned runs just twice in that span. With just 12 free passes allowed all year, he ranked seventh among qualifying National League relievers in fewest walks per nine innings pitched (1.7).
 
Over the last two years, his first two full seasons in the majors, Badenhop has posted a 3.25 ERA (45 ER/124.2 IP). His 1.7 walk rate in that time ranks fifth among major league relievers with at least 115.0 innings. Since the start of 2012, opponents have grounded into 16 double plays with Badenhop on the mound, a mark surpassed by only nine other major league relievers.
 
In parts of six big league seasons, Badenhop has a record of 18-20 with three saves, and a 3.98 ERA (166 ER/375.1 IP) in 280 games (10 starts) between the Miami Marlins (2008-11), Tampa Bay Rays (2012), and Brewers (2013). Originally a 19th-round selection of the Detroit Tigers in the 2005 June Draft, he was a part of the Tigers and Marlins trade for Miguel Cabrera which also included current Red Sox left hander Andrew Miller. 
 
The Red Sox have four arbitration-eligible players remaining: first baseman/outfielder Mike Carp, infielder Jonathan Herrera, left-handed pitcher Andrew Miller, and right-handed pitcher Junichi Tazawa.