Ellsbury to Wear Pinstripes

On the one hand, I’ll hate seeing Jacoby Ellsbury in a Yankees uniform come springtime; but on the other hand, I cannot quarrel with Boston’s refusal to match the Yankees’ incredibly generous offer. And neither can I blame Ellsbury for choosing to become one of the most highly paid players in the majors. I mean, who wouldn’t want to earn $22 million a year for playing ball?

 

Ellsbury has been a valuable member of the Sox since late in the 2007 season. Although he didn’t even have enough plate appearances to qualify for a rookie season that year, he did play a role in their World Series sweep of the Rockies. Remember Game Three of the Series, when he and Pedroia combined for seven hits and four RBIs? He’s been a great defensive centerfielder, and a good leadoff hitter, leading the league in stolen bases in a couple years since then. However, he had only one superstar year, in 2011, when he hit 32 home runs, and had 105 RBIs. Arguably, if he had that kind of production every year, one could justify a superstar salary exceeding $20 million. But the big problem has been Ellsbury’s durability, or more accurately, his lack thereof. Over the two seasons since 2011, he’s only hit 13 homers and knocked in 79 RBIs. Even this past year, when he was more healthy and played more regularly, while the Sox led the league in runs scored, Ellsbury wasn’t among the league leaders in that category, because he really didn’t play in enough games.  So from the perspective of history, if he’s typically a .300 hitter, but one with modest numbers otherwise, how can any club justify an outlay of $150,000,000?

 

So then one can’t argue with the Sox’ refusal to pay stratospheric numbers for Ellsbury, especially over seven years. It was only a year ago that Boston shed its enormous long term obligations to A-Gon and Crawford, freeing up the money they used to sign the guys who actually contributed to the recent World Series championship. Furthermore, how could Boston pay Jacoby more than they’re paying Pedroia and Papi, the two guys who have led this team, on and off the field?

 

But neither can one argue with Jacoby’s choice to become a multi-millionaire, especially if he shares these concerns about his durability over the next seven years. Plus, I’m sure he’ll be happy to play in Yankee Stadium with that short right field fence. If he stays healthy, his numbers could return to the 2011 level.

 

Still, I’d much rather have seen Ellsbury playing for any other high-paying club, and not wearing pinstripes. Really, who still has affection for any of the other Sox who defected to New York: Boggs, Damon, Clemens? Are we inviting any of them back to throw out the first pitch, a la Kevin Millar? Sox fans have more love for Mariano Rivera, who probably did more to extinguish the hopes of the Nation over the past 15 years than any other one player.

 

One last thought – maybe Jacoby left because he couldn’t compete in Boston’s clubhouse in the now-all-important beard category. Ellsbury was late to join in with the whole beard thing, and even once he did commit, he ended up with a pretty weak-ass effort. Who knows, maybe he’ll feel more comfortable in the clean shaven surroundings of the South Bronx. Whatever the case, adios Jacoby; it was fun while it lasted.