New York Yankees: Trading Ellsbury must be main priority in 2018
The New York Yankees can make a deep playoff run with their current roster. But to help improve future clubs, they need to get rid of Ellsbury and his loaded contract.
As the new year approaches, the New York Yankees look like a contender primed for a World Series run. But that doesn’t mean they should stop making moves at this point.
The front office remains in talks for a starting pitcher, with Gerrit Cole and Yu Darvish in the headlines. What’s more important is finding a way to rid of Jacoby Ellsbury, whose contract has overshadowed his play since his addition to the club.
While some fans argue the outfielder can still be valuable in the upcoming season, the team already possesses enough serviceable outfielders. Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks and Brett Gardner will be the primary rotation, using Clint Frazier as well.
Analysts already tied Ellsbury to rumors between the Yankees and Diamondbacks. But the teams have yet to complete a deal. Writers also involved the Giants in rumors but did not denote whether it was serious or not.
General manager Brian Cashman must move the 34-year-old while he is still somewhat a threat on the bases. He can offer some value to teams without an abundance of outfielders.
San Francisco hasn’t had any overly productive center fielders in the current decade. Center fielders ranked in the bottom 10 in RBIs in all but two of the past seven seasons.
Ellsbury is by no means an elite outfielder, but he is arguably better than the team’s previous starters.
The Diamondbacks aren’t in the same boat, as their offense is one of the best in the league. Thus, Ellsbury’s speed and veteran experience are useful, even if he may not be starting every day.
Plus, Patrick Corbin – the pitcher involved – will be a free agent next year, so it could be wise to deal him.
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Ellsbury’s departure would help New York for several reasons, but three is exceptionally crucial.
The Yankees would no longer need him to fill a spot on the 40-man roster, opening up opportunities for younger players.
Their second and third base positions may require more depth, considering that the prospective starters have little experience in the MLB.
Secondly, a trade could bring a serviceable pitcher to the Bronx in return. Corbin has been on Cashman’s radar and could essentially be another Jordan Montgomery in the rotation.
It’s not a necessity, but acquiring a starting pitcher in any trade for Ellsbury would kill two birds with one – rather expensive – stone.
Most importantly, the team will have more cap space available for next year’s deep, talented class of free agents. Drew Pomeranz, Gio Gonzalez, David Price and Garrett Richards are just a few notable pitchers that will be without a contract. None of those hurlers scream ace pitcher, but they could be useful as a back-end option.
Manny Machado and Bryce Harper are the two shining stars that will be available next offseason, but by that point, New York may not even need them. There are also effective relievers in Craig Kimbrel and Andrew Miller.
Next: Questions surrounding Yu Darvish
At this point, the Yankees are considered a World Series-caliber team. Therefore, no additions are necessary.
It is clear that the cap space opened up and the potential to add another arm via trading Ellsbury is the main priority. And, if there’s one move the team makes to improve the organization in the future, this should be it.