Sox Avoid the Arbiter, Sign Jeremy Hermida

January 26, 2010 -- Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein extended his streak of avoiding arbitration to eight years with the announcement on Tuesday that the club had reached a one-year deal with Jeremy Hermida. Hermida was the last arbitration-eligible player to come to terms with the Red Sox.

Hermida will make $3.345 million. He was seeking $3.85 million while the team offered $2.95 million when numbers were exchanged last week. Hermida made $2.25 million last year.

The 25-year-old Hermida, who projects as the fourth outfielder for the Red Sox, hit .259 with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs over 129 games with Florida in 2009 and set a career high with 56 walks. The left-handed hitter appeared in 81 games (73 starts) in right field and 51 (40 starts) in left. He made just one error in 205 total chances for a .995 fielding percentage, sixth among qualifying National League outfielders. He appeared in only three games after Aug. 31 because of an intercostal strain on his right side.

In recent weeks, Epstein signed Hideki Okajima, Ramon Ramirez, Manny Delcarmen and All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon.