Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury reached agreement with the Boston Red Sox on Friday on a one-year, $9 million contract to avoid arbitration, multiple media outlets reported.

Ellsbury, 29, will be eligible for free agency following the 2013 season.

Ellsbury finished second in the American League Most Valuable Player Award voting in 2011, when he hit .321 with 32 homers, but he played only 74 games in 2012 after dislocating his right shoulder. He hit .271 with four home runs last season.



Sox sign Hanrahan for one year, $7m



The Boston Red Sox avoided arbitration with new closer Joel Hanrahan after reaching agreement on a one-year deal worth $7.04 million.

Hanrahan, who will be eligible for free agency after the 2013 season, came to the Red Sox last month in a trade with Pittsburgh. The Pirates paid him $4.1 million in 2012.

Hanrahan posted 36 saves last season and 40 in 2011 with a combined a 2.24 ERA for the Pirates.

Red Sox manager John Farrell already has designated Hanrahan as the team's closer going into spring training.