If the Yankees can manage to find a way to void Jacoby Ellsbury’s $26 million in owed money for the 2020-21 season, it would open up a ton of cash-flow to sign a top-level free agent. $26 million is just short of the amount it would take to sign a player like Gerrit Cole to bolster the starting pitching rotation.
However, the Yanks have a plan for Ellsbury, a player who came from the Boston Red Sox to have one decent season over four active years. He missed the last two seasons with separate injuries, and with two years left on his deal, the Bombers are in a tough position. They’re unable to recoup any of the money lost in insurance, but they will exercise a different method of gaining the salary back.
The Yankees will claim that Ellsbury used unauthorized doctors during his treatment that would potentially compromise his health and make him more of a liability for the organization.
Multiple reports indicated that Ellsbury traveled to Atlanta and was traded by Dr. Viktor Bouquette of Progressive Medical Center without the team’s permission. This would make his contract non-guaranteed and allow the Yankees to recoup the massive amount of money they’re on the hook for.
“The players’ association will vigorously defend any action taken against Jacoby or his contract and is investigating potential contract violations by his employer,” the union said in a statement, per ESPN.
Jacoby, who’s now 36-years-old, is now considered one of the biggest busts in baseball history. His seven-year, $153 million deal is why the Yankees will be careful moving forward with monster contracts. However, it didn’t stop them from trading for Giancarlo Stanton, who is on a 13-year, $325 million deal.
Ellsbury hit .264 with 39 homers and 198 RBIs over 520 games in four seasons with the Yankees. His seven seasons with the Red Sox highlight his career, a daunting reality for the Bombers.