Ellsbury an interesting option for Phillies
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Ellsbury an interesting option for Phillies
Bob Brookover
NASHVILLE -- The domino effect that can occur whenever a team makes a move at the winter meetings may have created another center-field option for the Phillies via trade Tuesday.
After the Boston Red Sox signed former Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino to a three-year, $39 million deal, the rumblings started that they may be ready to move Jacoby Ellsbury, a player who finished second in the American League MVP voting in 2011.
A separated shoulder limited Ellsbury to 74 games in 2012, marking the second time in three seasons he missed substantial time because of injuries. A rib injury limited him to 18 games in 2010.
The Phillies are already relying on Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Roy Halladay to have comeback seasons after missing long stretches of the 2012 season, so it would be a risk to count upon Ellsbury as their starting center fielder, too.
On the other hand, the reward would be great if Ellsbury returned to his 2011 form when he hit .321 with 47 doubles, 32 home runs and 105 RBIs while also stealing 39 bases and scoring 119 runs.
The risk in terms of dollars and long-term commitment would not be significant. Ellsbury, 29, will be a free agent after the 2013 season, so he should be motivated to play for a long-term deal. He made just over $8 million last season and probably will be paid right around that number next season.
Whenever Ellsbury has been healthy he has been an elite player. He led the American League in stolen bases with 50 in 2008 and 70 in 2009. He has scored 90 or more runs in the three seaosns he played at least 145 games and he has a .349 career on-base percentage.
Like Michael Bourn, the best pure free-agent center fielder on the free-agent market at these winter meetings, Ellsbury is represented by agent Scott Boras. Since Ellsbury is only eligible for salary arbitration, there would be no significant negotations.
What would the Phillies have to surrender in a trade for Ellsbury? The deal could get done for righthander Vance Worley because the Red Sox need another starting pitcher. Worley, 25, should be attractive to a lot of teams even though he is coming off a frustrating season caused by a bone spur that was surgically removed in September. Worley is not eligible for salary arbitratrion until after the 2013 season and cannot be a free agent until after the 2017 season. The Red Sox, after spending big in the free-agent market this offseason, should like that kind of low-cost option for the back of their starting rotation.
So why did we non-tender Nate Sheirholtz? He would have cost like 1.5m through arbitration and plays a very serviceable outfield. Rather than lateral moves in a trade or spending 15-25m a year on Bourne or Hamilton.— Mo Biggsley- I don't think Bonifacio is going to outhit Frandsen (or Mayberry).— schmenkman
- @PhillyTaz " Amaro waits too long to make any deals and the results are always the same, we get the last option, and ask yourself one question, Why are they the last option?" Are you serious? Did you forgot about the Papelbon signing which came within days of the 2011 WS conclusion? Amaro was crucified on these very boards for being so aggressive.— MrLincoln
- Boras client - big payday, no performance!— 4thand10
- Another Boras client and not a free agent until next year. Why get him now, knowing Boras won't let him sign a new contract until after next season?— sonnybuoy01
- Michael Bourn!— peteinmich
- he's exactly the type of player I'd love to see roaming center field for the Phillies. I'd take him over Victorino any day of the week.— Ryan
- reading these comments is so depressing. Here I thought Phillie fans were knowledgeable . guess not. people who want to give up on brown and trade him for a middling garbage bench player like Emilio Bonifacio are out of their minds. Brown is still developing and could become an all star outfielder for the next ten years. imagine if in 2005 we traded Chase Utley for a Bobby Abreu type guy? that's what you are advocating.— Ryan
- wouldn't mind giving up worley for shot at a solid (if healthy) outfielder— Zero
- Worley? I think this either happens with Lee or not at all. Lee's owed either $87.5M through 2015 or $102.5M through 2016 (if his option vests). Reuben has been in then out on Lee for years. Traded for him, then traded him, re-signed him then considered trading him again. They still need a CF, a 3B, probably a corner OF, someone who can catch for awhile, and they're about $130M in on payroll right now. I'm not seeing why Boston wouldn't just keep Ellsbury for 2013. Worst-case scenario they get a pick for him next year and still have money to spend elsewhere. I don't know the logic of what Boston is doing, but the talk that they're still looking at Ross for RF when they already signed Gomes for LF (utterly redundant to Ross) and the Hawaiian screams another move. I'm just not seeing how a fourth starter benefits them if it means giving up their CF, and it's hardly a secret that Amaro has buyer's remorse not on Lee but on Lee's contract. Or rather, Howard's contract, but nobody would take Howard.— sklandog
- You can't win without hitting. Worley is no guarantee either. Do the deal if its on the table.— Boru
- BOB!!!! on what planet are you getting Ellsbury for Worley?!?!— ArtieLange
- Bourjos would be a good one to trade for. He's an excellent fielder and his hitting will only get better.— s
- NOT A GOOD MOVE! Dude cant stay healthy...— LumpDog
- Victorino ... $39 mil... HAHAHAHAHA— mmds
