The Red Sox sign Jacoby Ellsbury to a one year deal
You can start breathing again Red Sox Nation. It's been reported that Jacoby Ellsbury and the Red Sox have agreed to a one-year 9 million dollar contract. Why is this so significant? The deal avoids a messy arbitration period and keeps Ellsbury in a Red Sox uniform for at least another year.
The contract benefits both parties involved. The Red Sox increase Jacoby's salary by less than a million dollars, now that's a smoking deal for Sox management. Ellsbury, in turn, receives a salary increase despite a long stint on the DL and an opportunity to play for the greatest baseball team in the world - I don't sound bias do I?
The 29-year-old center fielder spent most of last season on
the disabled list due to an injured right shoulder. The injury occurred during
a game with the Tampa Bay Rays in April of last year. Ellsbury attempted to slide
under shortstop Reid Brignac to prevent a double play. When Brignac come down
he fell on top of Ellsbury’s right shoulder sending the beloved leadoff man to
the DL.
Jacoby returned on July 13th finishing the season
with a .271 batting average, 4 home runs, 26 RBI and 14 stolen bases. My
not-so-bold prediction for this season, Ellsbury will have another career year.
Start saving all those Liverpool royalties Mr. Henry, you’ll need it to sign this guy in the off-season.
Follow Scott Levesque on Twitter at @scottlevesque.
Follow Scott Levesque on Twitter at @scottlevesque.
