By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

The Red Sox signed Jacoby Ellsbury to a one-year, $9 million deal today, avoiding arbitration.

The amount was more than the projections for Ellsbury, who made $8.05 million in 2012. Ellsbury played in 78 games, hitting .271 with four home runs and 14 stolen bases.

Ellsbury has signed three consecutive one-year contracts since becoming eligible for arbitration. He will be eligible for free agency after the coming season and seems sure to enter the market given the choice of Scott Boras as his agent.

The Red Sox have seven unsigned arbitration-eligible players: Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Bailey, Daniel Bard, Craig Breslow, Joel Hanrahan, Andrew Miller, and Franklin Morales.

It is possible that some of those players have agreed to terms. Unsigned players will exchange arbitration figures with their teams today. If contracts cannot be agreed on, hearings start Feb. 1 in Phoenix.

UPDATE, 2:45 p.m.: Joel Hanrahan also signed. He's in for one year and $7.04 million. He, too, will be a free agent after the season. Three down, six to go. Stay tuned.

UPDATE, 5:30 p.m.: Per agent Tom O'Connell, Alfredo Aceves signs for one year and $2.65 million (plus incentives). Four down, five to go.