
Rumors have sprouted in regard to a potential trade involving the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants. Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury would head the trade, despite having a hefty contract.
The Giants are reportedly interested due to a lack of outfield support, which Ellbury could help solve. The veteran missed the entirety of 2018 with an injury, and any Yankees fan will tell you that getting rid of the 35-year-old would be like celebrating Christmas all over again.
What does Jacoby’s contract look like:
The Yankees owe Ellbsury $21.142 million for the next three years, (third year has a $5 million buyout option) a large amount of cap space for a player that hasn’t played in a professional game since 2017. The additional $10 million the Yankees could go out and sign Manny Machado for three years, that’s how bad this contract is.
Getting rid of Ellsbury would be amazing, but reports have the Yankees trading for starting pitcher Johnny Cueto. The 32-year-old has four years remaining on his contract with a payout of $21 million-per-year. This would theoretically set the Yanks back even further in terms of cap relief.
No other team would realistically entertain the idea of acquiring an aging veteran that hasn’t shown an ounce of productivity in years. In fact, the last time he was healthy, his slash-line was .264/.348/.402 with a 101 wRC+. His defensive abilities would benefit the Giants and they would be living on a prayer for offensive production, but the Yankees would be forced to bring on an overpriced pitcher (3.33 ERA in 2018).
Collecting insurance:
The Yankees could collect insurance on the outfielder if he misses another season, but GM Brian Cashman expects him to be healthy entering spring training. The most intelligent move would be to let him work through the offseason and see if he starts the regular season no the disabled list, which would allow them to recoup a portion of his salary.