FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Jacoby Ellsbury’s offseason was pretty routine. He did the same things he usually does.
Except that this time he was enjoying it as the AL MVP runner-up. Which was much different than how Ellsbury spent the previous winter, when he was coming off an injury-filled season.
New Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine saw Ellsbury plenty last year and was impressed. Valentine says he thought Ellsbury was worthy of the MVP honor.
Ellsbury hit .321 with 32 home runs, 105 RBIs and 39 stolen bases last year. A last-month collapse cost Boston a playoff spot and likely hurt Ellsbury in the MVP voting. Detroit pitcher Justin Verlander won the award.
