Red Sox avoid Arbitration with Papelbon and Ellsbury

Theo Epstein's streak of never going to arbitration will apparently continue on through 2011, as Sean McAdam or CSNNE is reporting that the Red Sox have come to terms with both of their eligible players, Jonathan Papelbon and Jacoby Ellsbury.

Both of these are intersting arbitration cases, and honestly, I'm surprised that both were dealt with as quickly as they were (in the past, Papelbon has nearly gone to the arbitration room).

Papelbon will be making $12 million, a raise of $2.65 million from what he made in 2010.  Personally, I'd consider this a gross overpay- in fact, a couple of months back in November, it was reported that he would only be seeking $11.5 million.  Apparently, that changed and the Sox agreed to go along with it.

Ellsbury will be making $2.4 million in 2011.