Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Ellsbury And Red Sox Have Not Started Talks

No Talking!
According to sources reported on by WEEI.com's Rob Bradford, Jacoby Ellsbury and the Red Sox have not started negotiations on a new contract extension. Absent an extension, the Boston center fielder will become a free agent at the end of this year. There has been some discussion in the media that—given Ellsbury's sub-par 2013 performance—both sides might agree to re-up a one-year deal for somewhere in the neighborhood of $12 million (up from this year's $9 million). This would offer Ellsbury another opportunity to have a big year in the run-up to his first free agency bid—and give Jackie Bradley, Jr. more time to mature in AAA. Of course, Ellsbury could still turn it around this year and compile the kind of numbers that would enhance his marketability right away.