Red Sox, Jacoby Ellsbury Agree to a Deal

[joeybee12]

For the Red Sox, this is a steal...

http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/7471727/boston-red-sox-jacoby-ellsbury-deal-not-david-ortiz

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury avoided arbitration Tuesday, the team announced.

According to a league source, he gets a one-year contract of $8.05 million, more than tripling his 2010 salary. According to general manager Ben Cherington, the two sides did not discuss a multi-year deal as part of the negotiations. Ellsbury is represented by agent Scott Boras.

"Happy to get a deal worked out!" Ellsbury wrote on Twitter. "Excited to get to Spring Training and help the #RedSox get back on top!!"

Ellsbury was paid a comparatively low $2.4 million in 2011 after missing almost all of the 2010 season with fractured ribs. He batted .321 (.376 OBP) with 32 home runs, 39 stolen bases, 105 RBIs and a career-high slugging percentage of .552. Those numbers were good enough for a runner-up finish in the American League MVP balloting.

[MaineDem]

1. Sorry it's only one year though

But good that he'll be around.

[Old and In the Way]

2. Good news!

I wish it had been multi-year....with the money that's spent on player contracts, I can't believe they couldn't have locked him up for the next 5 years at a decent price.

[bluedigger]

3. They still aren't convinced.

If he repeats last year, he goes into superstar contract territory, and can name his own price. I hope they rework it during the season. He's my favorite Red Sox.

[hughee99]

4. A steal at 8 million

I'd like to see them sign him long term next year, but his agent is Boras, so I'm not holding my breath. If he goes to FA, the Sox will likely not pay the price.

On a related note, Crawford had arthroscopic wrist surgery and is expected to start hitting in spring training. As opposed to last year, when he never started hitting.