What The Signing of Jacoby Ellsbury Means To The New York Yankees

The New York Yankees have already been making some big splashes so far in the offseason. They signed Brian McCann for 5 years and $85 million. This was a great signing for a couple of reasons. McCann was signed at a tad above a reasonable price, but it filled a major hole in the Yankees lineup. But the other big signing by the Yanks I think they overpaid for. They dealt out 7 years and $153 million for outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury. It looks like the Yankees are back to their old spending habits. But this move could hamper the team and bite them in the rear end for a couple of reasons.

First is money. As has been reported in New York the last few days, the Yankees are still in search of two players, Shin-Soo Choo, and the top free agent on the market and their best player last year, second baseman Robinson Cano. The Yankees believe they can sign one or the other, sources said, still have room to pursue at least one free agent starting pitcher and stay within the $189 million luxury-tax threshold. No way that's going to happen. The Yankees overpiad for Ellsbury. If the Yankees really get their way, and grab the players they want, they could spend in excess of $500 million. Now if the Yankees stay close to their word and don't want to spend in excess of $189 million, then they just shot themselves in the foot with this signing.

Now here's the other problem with the Ellsbury signing, at least that I can see. How about his injury problems. Ellsbury's best season was in 2011, when he hit 32 homers and drove in 105 runs, finishing just behind Justin Verlander of the Tigers for AL MVP. But last year, he played over 100 games but only hit 9 homers and drove in 53 runs. He has a history of injury problems, and outside of 2011, when he healthy he not an elite outfielder. Don't get me wrong, Ellsbury is a good outfielder. But good is about it. I wouldn't put him on the same level as say a guy like Mike Trout of the Angels, or former Yankee outfielder Curtis Granderson. Sorry but he isn't worth what the Yankees just paid him.

He could prove me wrong and turn out to be really worth all the money he was just paid, but on paper, right here and now, Ellsbury isn't worth over $100 million. Sorry he's just not.