MLB Trade Rumors: New York Yankees Primed To Steal Jacoby Ellsbury From Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox might be interested in re-signing All-Star outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, but the New York Yankees are threatening to steal the slugger from Fenway Park.
After a frustrating season filled with suspension and injuries, the Yankees are out to make a big splash this winter by hammering blockbuster deals involving A-list free agents. According to NESN baseball insider Ricky Doyle, the Yankees are one of at least four teams interested to sign the center fielder.
Ellsbury already rejected the qualifying offer from the Red Sox, but the reigning World Series champs stressed they are going to exhaust all options to keep a major piece of their ballclub.
The Seattle Mariners and Washington Nationals have also shown interest to sign Ellsbury. However, many baseball analysts think the slugger's destination will broil down between bitter rivals Boston and New York.
"Several teams, including the Red Sox, appear to be in the running for Ellsbury. According to CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman, the Mariners, Nationals and Yankees are among the teams interested in the 30-year-old center fielder," Doyle stated in its latest report.
Big Contract Coming
Several reports indicated sports agent Scott Boras is looking to use Carl Crawford's megadeal ($142 million over seven years) as a benchmark for Ellsbury's next contract.
Doyle believed the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals could also make their run at Ellsbury, who could get a more lucrative deal outside of Boston.
Ellsbury averaged .298 with nine homers, 53 RBIs and led the MLB with 52 stolen bases. He also batted well in the postseason, hitting 22-for-64 (.344) throughout the Red Sox's championship run.
Possibility of Leaving Fenway
As the free agency period goes deeper into the winter season, many analysts think Ellsbury's tenure with the Red Sox has finally come to an end. There are reports that Ellsbury's preference is to play with a contender, and the Yankees certainly topped the list.
With the Yankees looking to move on from the Alex Rodriguez doping scandal, Brian Cashman will try to sign any elite player available on the market.
The Yankees are expected to address their need for solid starting pitching following the retirement of Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera and Hiroki Kuroda. Yet, the possibility of Ellsbury playing for the Yankees remains pretty high, as long as Cashman is willing to shell out big time money.
In the event of Ellsbury's departure, the Red Sox will get a draft pick as a compensation for giving the slugger a qualifying offer.