New York Yankees finally done paying Jacoby Ellsbury

Jacoby Ellsbury has not been on a major league diamond since October 17, 2017. He appeared as a pinch runner for the New York Yankees in Game Four of the ALCS, scoring a run in what would be his final professional game. However, since that time, he has been getting paid, and getting paid well.

Now, the Yankees are finally done with Ellsbury. Once his $5 million buyout for their 2021 option is paid, the final tally can be counted as New York paid him over $68 million since his last game.

Jacoby Ellsbury a complete disaster for New York Yankees

Ellsbury has not even been a part of the team since November 20, 2019. He was released from the Yankees, who later attempted to void his contract by claiming that he had violated its terms by receiving outside treatment for his ongoing injury woes without team permission.

Naturally, the Major League Baseball Player’s Association appealed, claiming that New York was trying to make his contract non-guaranteed after the fact. The arbiters sided with Ellsbury, making him the second highest paid player in the game in 2020 as he had been released before the epidemic had caused those contracts to become prorated.

Even before his career came to an end over three years ago, he had been a disappointment. The oft-injured outfielder had posted one of the better seasons of his career in 2013, leading the Yankees to hand him a seven year, $153 million deal. For that, the Yankees received a 95 OPS+ with 39 homers, 86 doubles, and 102 steals over 2171 plate appearances.

But now, those payments are coming to an end. The Yankees will not have to mail that check to Ellsbury every month, or have to deal with their former outfielder limping in while wearing a ski mask to collect his payment. That money can be spent in other areas going forward.

Jacoby Ellsbury has not played a game since the 2017 season. The New York Yankees are now finally done paying him to not play.