The Sox were able to come to terms with Javier Lopez on his contract for 2008 ($840,000 - nice payday), but failed to hammer out terms with Kevin Youkilis and Kyle Snyder in time to avoid exchanging arbitration figures yesterday.

So what's it gonna cost to bring Youk back in '08? According to Youk and his team, $3.7 million - almost nine times what his salary was in 2007 ($424,500). The Sox offered $2.525 million, which would be almost six times what he made last year. No small potatoes, either way-- but that's a difference of about $1.2 million between the two offers.

I know Youk is saving the big weapon in his arsenal for the arbitration panel:

How can they deny that sweet lil' face?

Kyle Snyder has requested $1.025 million; the Sox offered $725,000. As always, everything you wanted to know about arbitration but were afraid to ask: Arbitration Primer.