Scott Boras questions Yankees about Jacoby Ellsbury’s postseason
Jacoby Ellsbury and the Yankees is a relationship that needs to come to an end this offseason. The question is will it?
I fully understand it’s Scott Boras’ duty as an agent to look out for the best interests of his client. But telling the Yankees they should have played Jacoby Ellsbury more during the playoffs because he helped the Red Sox win World Series titles in 2007 and 2013 is ridiculous.
We’re talking about 10 years and four years, respectively — though, both feel like they happened a lifetime ago.
Had super-agent, Scott Boras, told the media that his client would be better off taking his talents elsewhere, than languishing on the bench, then perhaps that’s something I could get behind. But what he told The New York Post?
“I do know this, Jacoby is a player you want to be out there in the postseason,’’ Ellsbury’s agent told The Post on Monday. “He is a very effective postseason player.”
Ellsbury played in only five of the Yankees’ 13 postseason games this year, four of those as the DH. In that time, the career .294 playoff hitter went 0-for-9.
More from Yanks Go Yard
- Yankees make upside play, sign former Rangers top prospect outfielder
- MLB insider claims favorite emerging in Bryan Reynolds rumors (not Yankees)
- Michael Kay’s Anthony Volpe story will get Yankees fans amped for Opening Day
- No, Yankees should not acquire Trevor Bauer for 2023
- Yankees’ Marwin González replaces Red Sox LF in Japan in logical next step
Now, we know that Aaron Hicks, who started all 13 contests in centerfield, struggled mightily with the stick (2-for-24 for a .084 batting average), but Hicks’ switch-hitting ability and cannon for an arm were just two of the reasons as to why manager Joe Girardi kept trotting him out there.
On Tuesday, I wrote about Hal Steinbrenner’s continued quest to fall below the $197 million luxury tax threshold. Obviously, trading Ellsbury would go a long way to aiding in that task, but let’s be honest, who is going to take on the remaining $63.4 million on his bloated deal? The answer is no one.
Now if the Yankees were to eat, let’s say, $40 million in total, some downtrodden club like the Padres, Giants or Athletics could do a lot worse than a .264/.348/.402 hitter who just so happened to successfully steal 22-of-25 bases this season and continues to play a very good centerfield.
At $21.3 million, Ellsbury doesn’t belong on many major league rosters — especially the Yankees’, who need to find playing time for Clint Frazier among their crowded outfield.
But at $7 million per season (give or take), Ellsbury can still be a serviceable pro that will play extremely well in spurts. He’ll also spend considerable time on the disabled list as he did earlier this season, missing a month with a concussion.
It’s a give and take with the 11-year vet.
If the Yankees are unable to find a taker for Ellsbury, either because they want too much of a return or refuse to eat the necessary salary, it’ll be another long, overpaid season for a soon-to-be 35-year-old fifth outfielder.
Next: The Yanks proved a ton in 2017
You can always look on the bright side, though, Ellsbury is the all-time leader of inducing catchers’ interference with 30! In July, he broke Pete Rose’s record, doing so in 10,582 fewer at-bats. So there’s that.