The Boston Red Sox avoided arbitration with centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury agreeing to a one-year deal worth $9 million. For Ellsbury the deal represents a raise from his 2012 salary of less than $1 million. Ellsbury was limited to 74 games last year due to injury and hit .271/.313/.370 with four home runs and 26 RBI. Ellsbury was in his final year of arbitration eligibility and becomes a free agent at the end of this season.
The team also reached agreements with pitchers Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Bailey, Daniel Bard, Joel Hanrahan, Andrew Miller and Franklin Morales. Aceves signed for one year and $2.65 million plus incentives. posted a career-high 25 saves after taking over for the injured Bailey. Bailey settled for one year and $4.1 million. appeared in just 19 games due to right thumb surgery, posting a 1-1 record with six saves.
Bard agreed to one year and $1.8625 million. Bard made the first 10 starts of his career, going 5-6 for the Red Sox with a 6.22 ERA. Newly acquired closer Joel Hanrahan settled for one year and $7.04 million. Hanrahan, 31, who made the All-Star team twice as a closer in Pittsburgh, was acquired by the Red Sox Dec. 26. Miller avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.475 million contract. went 3-2 with a 3.35 ERA and 51 strikeouts
Morales agreed to a one-year, $1.4875 million and made nine starts in his first full season. Earlier Jarrod Saltalamacchia avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract. Saltalamacchia made $2.5 million last season while batting .222/.288/.454 with 25 home runs, 59 RBI and a .742 OPS in 448 plate appearances with the Red Sox And will become a free agent after the 2013 season.
