Red Sox Agree To Contracts With Ellsbury, Aviles

Today, on the day of the arbitration deadline, the Red Sox have signed a couple more players: Jacoby Ellsbury (right) and Mike Aviles. Now they only need to agree to contracts with four more players. Ellsbury's deal was worth $8.05 million over one year after his near MVP season. Ellsbury won the Sox.Rox Player of the Year Award after going a remarkable .321/32/105 after a lost 2010 season in which he only played in 18 games. Hopefully, Ellsbury can continue that production as the Red Sox' center fielder and leadoff hitter for the next several years. Next is utility infielder Mike Aviles, whom the Red Sox acquired midseason from the Royals. In 91 games this year, Aviles batted .255/7/39; however, he was very good with the Red Sox, going .317/2/8 in 38 games down the stretch. His deal is worth $1.2 million over one year. With Jed Lowrie gone, Aviles will probably be the primary bat off the bench so expect to see more of him. I hope the Sox can come to an agreement with the remaining four players tonight.