By Jake Chernock (Contributor)
The New York Yankees shocked the baseball world when news broke that the team had signed former Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury to a 7 year, $153 million contract. As a Yankees fan I was definitely shocked by this. Quite frankly, the deal makes little to no sense.
Let’s start with the deal in itself. 7 years are far too many to give to a player whose durability is in question. Since 2010, Ellsbury has played in over 140 games only once. Also, Ellsbury is not a power hitter, which is something the Yankees desperately need to add to their lineup. While he did hit 32 home runs during the 2011 season he has not hit more than 9 home runs in any other season during his career. Finally, let’s put $153 million in perspective. Miguel Cabrera doesn’t make that much. And he’s the two time defending AL MVP!
Another huge problem is that the Yankees have so many other positions of need that they don’t fill with this deal. The team is in need of a second baseman, (if Cano doesn’t resign) shortstop, (in case Jeter isn’t healthy), and third base. (in case A-Rod is suspended for 2014 and beyond).
Plus the starting rotation is in shambles with a declining CC Sabathia and an inconsistent Ivan Nova as the only two certainties. And this doesn’t even address the fact that the Yanks lost the best closer in baseball history to retirement this offseason, and probably will need to upgrade the back end of their bullpen.
The deal also doesn’t make sense because the team already has Brett Gardner, who is basically a lesser version of Ellsbury. It does open up the possibility that the team can move Gardner and a prospect in order to add a starting pitcher; something that the team certainly should pursue to strengthen an area that clearly is in need of help. Or, the team could opt to use Gardner and Ellsbury as a dynamic duo on the base paths and patrolling the outfield. Then again, it all comes back to the fact that the Yankees spent way too much money to create these scenarios.
The deal will also have a heavy impact on the way the team conducts business the rest of the offseason, especially with their pursuit of star second baseman Robinson Cano. The deal sends a firm message to Jay-Z and Roc Nation that the Yanks will hold firm on their current contract offer of 7 years, 175 million. It also affects the team’s pursuit of Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, as it is up for debate whether the team can re-sign Cano and sign Tanaka while also keeping the payroll under the luxury tax mark of $189 million (this will depend on what happens with A-Rod).
Look, there is little question that Jacoby Ellsbury is one of the top base stealers the game has to offer, and features a terrific glove in center field. I do believe he will have a positive impact on the Bombers in 2014. Any time you can add a guy that will bat near .300 there will be some improvement. But at the same time, the Yankees have signed an aging outfielder with an injury filled past to a mega-contract that comes with significant risks and hurts the team’s pursuit of other free agents.
Third Floor Crew 