DALLAS –– Dan Wheeler has declined salary arbitration, Red Sox general manger Ben Cherington confirmed Wednesday.
In his first season with Boston, the right-handed hurler went 2-2 and recorded a 4.38 ERA. If he signs with another team, the Red Sox will receive a draft pick as compensation for Wheeler.
The reliever could have received at least $2.5 million in 2012 if he accepted the arbitration. Even with the decision, Cherington hasn't nixed the possibility of re-signing Wheeler, 33.
"We've had a couple conversations, we'll keep the door open," Cherington said. "But we haven’t talked about anything substantive just yet."
