SIMULATION: Yankees transactions at FanSided Winter Meetings

No one wants Jacoby Ellsbury

For those that were anticipating a Jacoby Ellsbury trade — let me tell you, I was close. Thrice, actually. But even in the realm of fantasy baseball, trading Ellsbury’s ginormous salary isn’t a simple task.

First, there was a deal on the table that would have sent him to the Reds for catcher Devin Mesoraco and his 1 year, $11 million contract back our way. I was even willing to eat upwards of 40 percent of Ellsbury’s remaining salary.

But the rep from the Reds got cold feet at the last-minute and shipped Mesoraco to the Pirates for a pair of minor leaguers.

Then, Ellsbury was packing his bags for Baltimore, with Mark Trumbo switching AL East allegiances.

Lastly, I thought I had Ells shipped to the Nationals — until they too decided his cost wasn’t even worth a low-level prospect.

So, for the time being, we’re stuck with the world’s most expensive fourth outfielder. A lot can and will happen during the course of the upcoming 162 game schedule. And Ellsbury still has some value left, so no, I won’t be flat-out releasing him, ala Alex Rodriguez.

Instead, he’ll play when the manager (whoever that ends up being) and hope for the best.

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Other transactions

Manny Machado, Madison Bumgarner, Josh Donaldson, Anthony Rendon, Nolan Arenado and Jose Abreu all signed long-term extensions to stay with their current clubs.

The Cardinals traded Jack Flaherty, Austin Gomber, Tyler O’Neill and Jedd Gyorko to the White Sox for Jose Abreu (assuming 90% of his salary).

The Dodgers finally said goodbye to Joc Pederson and Yasmani Grandal, sending them to the Brewers for Ryan Braun.

The Brewers then sent Grandal and Marcos Diplan to the Mets for Steven Matz.

Jeff Samardzija and Mark Melancon of the Giants were dealt to the Rangers for Alex Claudio, Yohander Mendez, Pedro Gonzales and Josh Altman.

The Rays traded Alex Colome and Chris Archer to the Cardinals for Randal Gruchuk, Stephen Piscotty and Carson Kelly.

The Rays pulled off a second blockbuster sending Corey Dickerson, Jake Odorizzi and Jose Alvarado to the Giants for Joe Panik, Hunter Strickland, Austin Slater, Steven Okrent and Kevin Beltre.

The Giants continued to stay busy by trading Brandon Belt to the Indians for Jason Kipnis.

The Braves traded Sean Newcomb, Ian Anderson, Jason Hursh, Matt Wisler and Touki Toussaint to the Tigers for Michael Fulmer.

The Mariners sent Kyle Seager to the Braves for Julio Teheran, Austin Riley and Joey Wentz.

Julio Teheran was then shipped to the Nationals for Michael Taylor.

The A’s traded Khris Davis to the Braves for Matt Adams and Danny Santana.

The A’s then turned around traded Adams to the Giants for Matt Moore.

The Reds traded Billy Hamilton to the Astros for Cionel Perez and Brett Adcock.

The Angels sent Troy Scribner and Brooks Pounders to the Marlins for Martin Prado and Dan Strailey.

Yu Darvish signed with the Mariners (5 years, $133m w/annual opt-outs and NTC).

J.D. Martinez signed with the Red Sox (5 years, $117m, plus player option of $21m for 2023).

Michael Pineda signed with the Twins (2 years, $10m, plus two team options w/buyouts).

Lorenzo Cain singed with the Blue Jays (4 years/$60m, plus fifth-year team option).

Both Jake Arrieta (4 years, $86m) and Wade Davis (4 years, $60m) stayed with the Cubs.

Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer stayed at home with the Royals (4 years, $70m, plus incentives) and (6 years, $100m, plus incentives; full NTC), respectively.

Lance Lynn signed with the Marlins (3 years, $33m).

Carlos Santana signed with the Angels (3 years, $48m, plus player option for fourth-year).

Logan Morrison heads to the Mets (3 years, $30m).

Carlos Gonzalez (4 years, $40m) joins Todd Frazier in San Francisco.

Next: CC is cool with a six-man rotation

As you can see, each person representing their corresponding FanSided baseball blog took this simulation seriously. It’s our hope you had as much fun following along as we did wheeling and dealing as faux GM’s.

Hopefully, we’ll see Brian Cashman mimic one or two deals Dec 9-13 in Orlando at the MLB Winter Meetings… you know, the real meetings ones.