Red Sox Jacoby Ellsbury Agrees to New Deal After Career Making Year

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Jacoby Ellsbury-Navajo

Boston, Massachusetts - Jacoby Ellsbury agreed to a 1 year, $8.05 million contract with Boston that allowed both parties to avoid salary arbitration. Ellsbury will be a free agent after the 2012 season and will be free to sign with any team.

Ellsbury had a career year in 2011 after an injury plagued 2010 that saw him play in only 18 games. He batted .321 with 32 home runs, 119 runs, and 105 RBIs in 158 games. He finished 2nd in the American League MVP voting and was the American League Comeback Player of the Year award winner.

Jacoby Ellsbury, born in Madras, Oregon, is a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribe in Arizona and is the first Native American of Navajo descent to reach the Major Leagues. He is also one of 3 active Native Americans in Major League Baseball. The other two major leaguers being Kyle Lohse of the St. Louis Cardinals and Joba Chamberlain of the New York Yankees.

Ellsbury is looking to build on his amazing 2011 and put together back to back great seasons without injury. If he is able to do that, he could net himself a $100 million contract from a team next winter.

updated January 20, 2012 10:50 am est; posted January 19, 2012 3:45 pm est