Red Sox sign Ellsbury to one-year contract

BOSTON (AP) - The Boston Red Sox signed Jacoby Ellsbury to a one-year contract on Friday, avoiding arbitration with the outfielder.

The oft-injured Ellsbury, 29, a 2011 All-Star, saw a drop in his production last year, finishing with a .271 average, four home runs and 26 RBIs. He will make $9 million, a year after making $8.05 million.

Ellsbury missed 79 games after suffering a right shoulder subluxation April 13. He returned to the lineup July 13 and played in 67 games. In 2011, he was named American League Comeback Player of the Year, and established career highs in home runs (32), run (119), hits (212), and RBIs (105).

The Red Sox also agreed to terms with right-handers Alfredo Aceves ($2.65M), Andrew Bailey ($4.1M), Daniel Bard ($1.86M), and Joel Hanrahan ($7.04M), as well as left-handers Andrew Miller ($1.47M), and Franklin Morales ($1.48M), to one-year, non-guaranteed contracts.

Boston left-hander Craig Breslow is the last player eligible for salary arbitration still unsigned. If he remains without a deal, arbitration hearings can start next month. Breslow made $1.79 million last season. He asked for $2.37M, and was offered $2.32M.

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