Yankees: Jacoby Ellsbury wants his $26M; MLBPA files grievance

Just when you thought you heard the last of Jacoby Ellsbury and the Yankees, on Thursday, the MLBPA filed a grievance on behalf of Ellsbury in hopes of securing the remaining $26 million on his contract.

One month after the Yankees converted the final year and 2021 buyout of Jacoby Ellsbury’s seven-year, $153 million contract to a non-guaranteed one, in hopes of avoiding a final payment of $26 million, the Major League Baseball Players Association has filed a grievance on behalf of the 36-year-old outfielder.

Not only did the Yanks need to open a 40-man roster spot that a potential Ellsbury return would have further complicated, but according to the letter of the law, Ellsbury received treatment in 2017 from an Atlanta-area doctor without seeking permission from the club.

Without clearance to visit Dr. Viktor Bouquette of Progressive Medical Center, the Yankees believe it is well within their rights to forgo any additional money owed to the 2011 All-Star.

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Although an agreement may be settled between the parties, the Yanks are currently $40 million over the luxury tax after signing Gerrit Cole and bringing back Brett Gardner.

Therefore, it’ll be interesting to see how deep the Bombers dig their heels in, hoping that Ellsbury’s $21.1M in 2020 won’t come back to haunt them any further. Arbitrator Mark Irvings is scheduled to hear the case.

Considering Ellsbury hasn’t played a single inning since 2017, while still collecting some $42.2 million, you’d hope an amicable split would have been possible. However, this is a business, and Ellsbury wants what he feels is rightfully his — the worst contract in Yankees history.

Looking ahead, the Yanks’ payroll next season is projected at $248 million, which would place the organization in the second-highest tier of the luxury tax threshold ($228-$248M). Should the club exceed $248M, they would incur an insane 75 percent tax penalty, in addition to having their top 2021 draft pick drop 10 spots.

As we’ve heard, the Yankees are hoping to trade J.A. Happ and his $17M salary, as to drop the penalty to 42 percent.