BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox finalized a $9.5 million, two-year contract with right-handed reliever Edward Mujica.

Mujica had 37 saves and a career-best 2.78 ERA for St. Louis in 2013 and was selected an All-Star for the first time. But he lost his job as closer with a series of bad outings in September and pitched only two innings in the Cardinals’ playoff run, which ended with a six-game World Series loss to Boston.

Mujica gives the Red Sox some protection if closer Koji Uehara, who turns 39 in April, cannot repeat his 2013 performance.

In an eight-year career, the 29-year-old Venezuelan has a 19-19 record with 41 saves and a 3.75 ERA.

The deal, agreed to Thursday and announced Saturday, calls for salaries of $4.75 million a season. He can earn $1 million annually in performance based on games finished: $125,000 for 20 and each additional five through 55.


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