The Boston Red Sox agreed to a one-year deal with outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury on Tuesday that effectively avoids salary arbitration, the team announced.
A league source told ESPN Boston Ellsbury will receive $8.05 million for the single year on his contract, more than triple the amount he earned last year. The salary figure eclipses the $6.9 million Hunter Pence won in arbitration last winter as the most a player has ever made during his second year of arbitration eligibility.
Ellsbury finished second in American League MVP voting in 2011, and might have won the award it weren't for Boston's historic September collapse. He batted .321 with 32 home runs, 39 stolen bases, 105 RBI and a .552 slugging percentage.
The Sox also struck a deal with Mike Aviles. Terms were not disclosed.
The Sox still have not come to terms with David Ortiz, who rejected the club's two-year, $18 million offer and accepted arbitration.
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