Where will Jacoby Ellsbury occupy the leadoff spot and patrol center field in 2014 and beyond? That question appears closer to being answered, according to Major League Baseball insider Jon Heyman. Today, Heyman told a Boston radio station that the Yankees, Red Sox, Giants and Mariners are the most likely landing spots for the 30-year-old veteran of seven Major League seasons.
When healthy, Ellsbury is one of the most dynamic outfielders in the majors. He is one of just a handful of players who can hit for average and power, disrupt opposing pitchers and catchers with game-changing speed on the basepaths and provide exceptional defense in center field.
Yet Ellsbury has had trouble remaining on the field due to injuries, most of which were caused by collisions.
Then, in 2012, then Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Reid Brignac fell on Ellsbury when the latter slid into second base. The Oregon State University product played in just 74 games that season, batting .271 with four home runs and 26 RBI in 323 plate appearances.
This year, Ellsbury was a key part of Boston’s World Series championship run by hitting .298 with nine home runs, 53 RBI, eight triples, 52 stolen bases and a .355 on-base percentage in 636 plate appearances.
Jacoby Ellsbury Rumors and Potential Destinations
Ellsbury, who is represented by Scott Boras, is from Madras, Oregon and Seattle has been a long-rumored destination for the left-handed hitter.
After feeling they made an unwise choice by signing Carl Crawford to a costly seven-year, $142 million deal that did not lead to the expected results before he was eventually traded to the Dodgers in 2012, the Red Sox are not likely to offer more than five years to Ellsbury. Boras is reportedly seeking a deal similar to what Crawford received from the Red Sox before the 2011 season.
Boston could let top prospect Jackie Bradley Jr. start in center field next season and take the draft pick compensation they would receive if Ellsbury signs elsewhere. However, since the Red Sox are not tied into excessive long-term deals, they could have the payroll flexibility to give Ellsbury a palatable contract. Boston could free up money by trading a surplus veteran arm like Ryan Dempster or Jake Peavy, and the club will likely replace Stephen Drew with rookie Xander Bogaerts.
On Tuesday, the Red Sox agreed to a one-year deal with catcher A.J. Pierzynski, a move that likely spells the end of free agent Jarrod Saltalamacchia‘s Red Sox tenure. That decision gives the Red Sox even more financial flexibility to extend a long-term deal to Ellsbury.
Ellsbury’s presence in Seattle would give the club a marketable local player who would also provide much-needed production at the top of the lineup.
If he signed with the Yankees, Ellsbury would replace free agent Curtis Granderson and give Boston’s heated rival a desperately needed presence at the leadoff spot. Brett Gardner, Alfonso Soriano and Ichiro Suzuki would compose the Yankees’ outfield if the 2014 season opened today. They could add Ellsbury, move Gardner to left field and use Soriano in a DH role. The club also has Vernon Wells who can be used in the outfield and at DH.
The Giants currently have Angel Pagan slated to play center field next season, and he is signed through 2016. San Francisco could move Pagan to left field and insert Ellsbury in center to team with right fielder Hunter Pence. Gregor Blanco is presently the projected starting left fielder for the Giants, so adding Ellsbury would represent a dramatic upgrade.
