New York Yankees Close To Signing Jacoby Ellsbury?
By Jason Evans
Oct 30, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder
Jacoby Ellsbury(2) hits a double against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fourth inning of game six of the MLB baseball World Series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Well, you can add a new chapter to the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox Rivlary. According to CBS’ Jon Heyman,the Yankees are closing in on a seven year pact with free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury. The deal according to Heyman could be worth $150 million.
Ellsbury would play center and the Yankees would then move incumbent center fielder Brett Gardner to left. They could also hit one and two at the top of the Yankees batting order or go with Gardner, then Derek Jeter second and Ellsbury third. The Yankees could then move Alfonso Soriano to right field.
What does it all mean?
Well, it means the Carlos Beltran probably won’t be coming to the Yankees. There are reports today of a three year offer from the Kansas City Royals today, something the Yankees didn’t want to give. It also means Curtis Granderson more than likely will be somewhere in 2014 as well.
What about Robinson Cano you say?
Awesome question. With the gap between the Yankees and Cano so vastly wide and them being so aggressive in their pursuit of Ellsbury and other free agents out there, you have to wonder if this is the end of the road for the Yankees and Cano and it’s a very real possibility he plays in Seattle or somewhere else next year.
The Yankees could increase their offer for free-agent Omar Infante or sit down with Walt Jocketty and have a nice conversation about Brandon Phillips.
I think it’s also very possible that staying at $189 million probably won’t be happening either.
This is a move no one really saw coming. We’ll have to stay tuned for what happens next.
Update: Ellsbury will sign a seven year $153 million contract pending a physical