Papelbon

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Jonathan Papelbon may be young, but he knows how the business of baseball works.

He knows that, with a little more than two years of major-league service time, he has no contractual leverage with the Red Sox. Not yet eligible for arbitration, Papelbon has little recourse at the bargaining table.

But he also has a benchmark for what he should be paid in 2008, and if the Red Sox don’t come close to his figure, he would rather they renew him at a lower salary figure, without further negotiation.

“I can’t sell myself short,” said Papelbon yesterday morning. “I know they’re not going to give me what I want, so the question becomes, ‘How close can we get?’ If I can’t get close, they can just renew me.”

Teams have the right to renew — or unilaterally determine a one-year salary — with players who have less than three years of major-league service. Different organizations have different policies in setting renewal figures.

Renewals are not uncommon. The Sox renewed Kevin Youkilis last spring, and in the last year, the Milwaukee Brewers did the same with young stars Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder.

Such a strategy could cost Papelbon plenty, but he feels this will be matter of principle.

“No doubt about it,” he said. “Otherwise, I won’t be able to live with myself.”

Asked what would be a fair salary for this year, Papelbon had his answer ready.

“Ryan Howard got $900,000 in his third year,” said Papelbon. “There it is. It’s staring (the Red Sox) right in the face.”

Howard, the hulking first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies, was the 2006 N.L. MVP and got a significant raise for 2007. At the time, the $900,000 was the highest figure ever for a player with less than two full years of major-league service. To qualify for arbitration, players must have three full seasons of major-league service time, though a select number of players with more than two years but less than three annually qualify as “Super 2” players. Last month, Howard defeated the Phillies at the arbitration table and was awarded a $10-million salary for 2008, an increase of more than 10 times his pay from the previous year.

Papelbon wasn’t an MVP, but he has established himself as one game’s elite closers and was an integral part of their world championship, tossing 10 2/3 scoreless innings in the postseason and saving three of the team’s four World Series wins.

“I feel like I’ve gone to bat for them,” said Papelbon of the Red Sox, “and now it’s time for them to go to bat for me.”

General manager Theo Epstein declined comment, citing the organization’s policy on contracts.

Papelbon made $425,500 last year, or $45,500 above the 2007 major-league minimum of $380,000. This year, the major-league minimum salary escalates slightly to $390,000.

The Sox’ closer, who converted 37 of 40 saves last season, would be open to a multi-year deal. Such a prospect was discussed between the Sox and Seth and Sam Levinson, Papelbon’s agents, at Mike Lowell’s charity event Saturday night. However, the two sides found themselves far apart — both philosophically and in actual dollar figures — and a long-term deal seems highly unlikely.

“But at the same time,” said Papelbon, “I have no problem going year to year. I have no doubts whatsoever, no fear, about going year to year. In fact, I’ve worked too hard to sell myself short.”

Papelbon pointed out that the Sox will be facing similar contractual situations with other young players over the next few years.

“There will be Dustin Pedroia (after this season),” he said, “and Clay (Buchholz) and Jacoby (Ellsbury) the year after that. We need to take a stand and not let them take advantage of us just because they can.”

smcadam@projo.com