Jacoby Ellsbury will be one of the most sought after players in this year's free agent market. Of course, the New York Yankees will be mentioned, but is the speedy outfielder with some pop considering moving over to the dark empire? MLB Rumors have it that the Yankees are seeking some, younger, outfield help. Hey! Doesn't this remind you of an old Red Sox?
Johnny Damon was a Bostonian for four years of his 18 in the majors. Jimmy Fallon must have been pissed when the bearded messiah of the Red Sox changed over from Boston to the pinstripes.
The year was 2005 and Damon's four-year, $31 million deal was up. So, the Yankees threw money on the table; four years, $52 million for the outfielder who had clearly seen the best days in his past. However, Damon proved important to the Yankees 2009 championship run, providing pop, some speed and contact at the plate.
Damon was 32 when he went to the Yankees. Ellsbury is currently 30 and a free agent. Will the Red Sox ask their two-time champion to return? He is trouble at the top of the lineup, but the Red Sox might have that gap plugged up with Xander Bogaerts proving he could handle the big lights and major league pitching.
Bogaerts, who only played in 18 games for the Red Sox, making 50 plate appearances, hitting .250 with a home run and five RBI. His postseason numbers were clearly better as the 21-year-old infielder hit .296 with eight hits in 27 at bats with two RBI and six walks. He had no swipes, but he is speedy and was probably playing it safe. Who wants to be the rookie getting picked off and getting thrown out in the playoffs?
If Ellsbury leaves, the way Damon did, the Red Sox at least have abackup in the batting lineup, but they might have some trouble finding a quality centerfielder. Unlike Damon, Ellsbury can play defense, but he does not have strong arm. However, Ellsbury and Damon were useful because they saved runs in the outfield. This season, Ellsbury saved 13 runs while Damon was costing the Red Sox runs, which is probably why they let the outfielder walk.
Remember what happened once Damon left? Well, after he he cut his hair and shaved his beard. The Red Sox went on to win the World Series in 2007 and Damon eventually gave way to Ellsbury in centerfield. Ellsbury won his first ring with the Red Sox in 2007 as they swept the Colorado Rockies. Ellsbury hit .438 in that World Series.
The Yankees could use run producers in 2013. Robinson Cano was the only force in the Yankees lineup, until the team added Alfonso Soriano. By then, however, it was too late for New York to make a playoff run. With Ellsbury at the top of the lineup, the Yankees can threaten with speed and cause havoc on the base pads as Brett Gardner is one of the fastest players in baseball.
What will the Yankees do? What will Ellsbury decide? It will be interesting to see what the Red Sox do as heavy spending seems to be a thing in the past.