Wowzers. Yanks are serious either way they go with Cano now. Don't like that they gave Ellsbury seven years though. I guess that's the way of the world now, so whatever.
So do they try to move Ichiro for anything? I can't see him batting anywhere but ninth at this point.
Hey, there will be a Jacoby playing in pinstripes. O.k., so it's first name, not last and it's not me getting the nine figures, but at least people will now start pronouncing it correctly.
So I take it that the $189 million plan is now out the window?
My initial reaction after wow was why?
I've always thought he's a nice player, or even a really good one, but I've never been overly impressed. He doesn't fit the Yankees CF slugger mold, which is what I would want for the years and money he's getting.
But I don't want to be too meh about this. He's good, very good, and he's ours now.
[14] Erstad?? That's setting the bar EXTREMELY low, isn't it?
If Jacoby hits 15 taters, steals 40 bases and plays good D, he's worth it. Yankees print money, they can afford it.
For $153 million over 7 years you need a better return. He's 30 and has an injury history, a lifetime OPS+ of 108 with no power. He can steal bags and play defense but $20 million per year is fucking ridiculous. I don't like it. I'd rather have them suck and get younger than cranking up the drunken sailor spending routine.
I guess the Yanks must think Arod is a goner and they're flush with cash.
Don't think I like this move, and it am guessing this is Levine/Trost going over Cashman's head again. Can't see how he would approve of spending that much money for all the reasons everyone has mentioned.
Sign lots of free agents - ought to get ticket sales up and ratings, too - or at least I am guessing that was the sales pitch...
If they don't blow everyone out of the water to sign Tanaka now, I will be disappointed. I kinda already am ... I was looking forward to trying to do it the Cardinals way. Sigh.
[21] Choo can't hit lefties. At all. Ellsbury doesn't have much power vs LHP - though maybe the Stadium will help - but has good avg and OBP vs lefties.
Someone explain to me why the Yanks supposedly won't go past $175M for the best second baseman in baseball, but can get to 7/153 (possibly 8/169) for a decent CF which doesn't fill any real need beyond tweaking their parochial rivals, who manage to run their team a little more money-wise than Cashman.
[26] They'd better; it's really the only way this signing makes sense at this point. Wonder if they bite the bullet with the luxury tax for one year and then go commando (if you will) when the youngsters make their way up to the majors. Is 2014 the only year they are allowed to reset their clock?
28
Start Spreading the News
~ Dec 3, 2013 11:51 pm
A brittle outfield who only had one great year? Now he is a Yank for 7 years? Looks like another contract like Texeira -- one that works in the short term and we regret in the long term.
Ellsbury had one year where he was great. All the other years, he either sucked or struggled to stay healthy or both. Does a 789 career OPS deserve such a big contract? Even with the quality defense, I don't think so.
[26] Yes. They are telling Cano "this is a team you want to play on. We've given you the place setters to knock in and a little help in the RBI department. The rest is up to you."
ESPN's Jerry Crasnick is saying this means that Robinson Cano is definitely will not play in the Bronx next year. And that the Yankees don't have enough money left to sign him.
[30] Hey Boat! Figured you would show up today too. Crasnick..isn't he one of those 'so&so is a good clubhouse guy' type reporters, not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
Definitely way overpriced.
Ells is Gritner with a little extra pop and a little less durability. He's fun to have on the team -- the outfield is going to be really good -- but it's going to hurt in 2019.
I always felt that Ellsbury was overrated though I never really did a stats analysis on him. I looked briefly at his stats last night and I thought he was better than I remembered. I think as a table setter he's pretty good. I think it's a good signing. I think the Yankees reached a point where we had too many guys who might have high OBPs but didn't hit for average. If you are all OBP you don't score. Ellsbury does at least add that average component and he adds speed. So I'm ok with this. Never loved him and do think he is overrated but he seems solid enough (for 5 years maybe haha).
I can’t believe it.
TERRIBLE SIGNING!
Worst contract since Carl Crawford!
The guy has a career OPS of 108, and you pay him $22m/yr? TERRIBLE!
Elite defender? He had accumulated 4 dWar in 6 full years. Elite?
21 Defensive Runs Saved in 6 years! I mean, that’s good…. but TWENTY TWO FUCKIN’ MILLION A YEAR?
TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE SIGNING!
The only good news is the $189m must be out the window.
If not…. if Cano and Kuroda sign, the checkbook is empty.
TERRIBLE SIGNING!
from FanGraphs:
Steamer and ZIPS both see him as roughly a +4 WAR player in 2014. If we do the standard half WAR per season decay for aging, then Ellsbury would project out to +17.5 WAR over the next seven years.
So…. $153m / 17.5 WAR = $8.75m/WAR. What a steal!
TERRIBLE SIGNING!
Ellsbury is an All-Star and Gardner is expendable. Right?
Ellsbury has played about SIX full years: 3204 PA
vs
Gardner has played about FOUR full years: 2228 PA
——— JE —vs– BG
fWar: 23.7 vs 17.8
bWar: 21.0 vs 19.3
dWar: 4.0 vs 8.5 (from BBR)
wRC+: 109 vs 101
DRS: 27 vs 84 (!!!!!!! and Ellsbury will play CF????)
OPS+: 108 vs 97
fAFld: 43.7 vs 73.2 (FG Aggregate Fielding)
In 4 years, FanGraphs has Ellsbury, in CF, with a total of ZERO URZ.
In 3 years, FanGraphs has Gardner, in CF, with a total of 17.7 URZ.
[27]They'd better; it's really the only way this signing makes sense at this point.
True.
Wonder if they bite the bullet with the luxury tax for one year and then go commando (if you will) when the youngsters make their way up to the majors.
Hahahahahahahahahaha....no, seriously, that was a good one. Thanks, I needed a good laugh this morning.
I'm fine with all of the criticisms of Ellsbury except for the claims of him being some kind of major injury risk.
In 2010 he runs into Adrian Beltre, who's a brick effing wall, and cracks his ribs. The injury is then MISDIAGNOSED by the Boston team doctors and his rehab completely botched. Two years later he's sliding into second and is body slammed by Reid Brignac...shit happens. Those are injuries that could happen to literally anyone, they're in no way indicative of future performance.
I'm fine with criticizing his game, for the record I think years 5-7 here will be a dumpster fire, but trying to draw some bigger point from two freak injuries doesn't really wash.
[40] I guess Wells doesn't cost anything this year (because LAA is paying all or most of his salary), so he could be dumped at basically no cost. But then again, this team went out of its way to *get* him after he proved he was about the worst OF in the game for two seasons running. So who knows what they are thinking.
[41] They're fast, but unless they can jump over the fence and run up into the bleachers to make the catch, they couldn't have helped Hughes too much.
Ha, I JUST checked here and this article wasn't up ... five minutes later and it was.
Till age 37, I dunno. But the first couple years should be good.
7/153.
That seems ... a lot of money and a lot of years.
Wonder if Cano's starting to sweat it now?
This doesn't make a lick of sense to me. Ugh.
From Pete: Yankees will end up with Cano. You don't sign with Jay-Z to go play in Seattle and endorse raincoats.
[4] Boom!! Great line.
2/3 towards my dream outfield of Jacoby, Gardner & Myers!
Wowzers. Yanks are serious either way they go with Cano now. Don't like that they gave Ellsbury seven years though. I guess that's the way of the world now, so whatever.
So do they try to move Ichiro for anything? I can't see him batting anywhere but ninth at this point.
Wooh.
Hey, there will be a Jacoby playing in pinstripes. O.k., so it's first name, not last and it's not me getting the nine figures, but at least people will now start pronouncing it correctly.
So I take it that the $189 million plan is now out the window?
My initial reaction after wow was why?
I've always thought he's a nice player, or even a really good one, but I've never been overly impressed. He doesn't fit the Yankees CF slugger mold, which is what I would want for the years and money he's getting.
But I don't want to be too meh about this. He's good, very good, and he's ours now.
[8] Agreed, he and Gardner should steal 100 between them. Plus great D..I like it. MUCH MUCH better signing than Beltran.
So this means Beltran winds up in Boston, right?
Red Sox lost Saltathewhat'shishame to the Marlins today, also.
6) Ichi can still play some RF, and yeah, 9th is where he'll hit.
9) yup.
10) or maybe the Royals are serious about getting Beltran back?
12) Beltran will not end up in Seattle.
I'd rather have Beltran in RF for 2 years, than Taco Bellsbury for 7.
There's a better than decent chance that Ellsbury spends most of this contract looking like Darin Erstad, v.2.
[11] But then they sign A.J. Pierzynski. Could be their patron saint, could be Bobby Valentine 1.5...
[14] Erstad?? That's setting the bar EXTREMELY low, isn't it?
If Jacoby hits 15 taters, steals 40 bases and plays good D, he's worth it. Yankees print money, they can afford it.
For $153 million over 7 years you need a better return. He's 30 and has an injury history, a lifetime OPS+ of 108 with no power. He can steal bags and play defense but $20 million per year is fucking ridiculous. I don't like it. I'd rather have them suck and get younger than cranking up the drunken sailor spending routine.
I guess the Yanks must think Arod is a goner and they're flush with cash.
Oh, joy, there's an option on the 8th year for $16 million.
Ellsbury reminds me a little of Fred Lynn minus the pop. Very good but brittle. Just hope he can stay healthy. These long deals are risky for sure.
[16] Injury prone CF's do have a tendency to go pftttt ...
Also, why Ellsbury over Choo I wonder?
Don't think I like this move, and it am guessing this is Levine/Trost going over Cashman's head again. Can't see how he would approve of spending that much money for all the reasons everyone has mentioned.
Sign lots of free agents - ought to get ticket sales up and ratings, too - or at least I am guessing that was the sales pitch...
If they don't blow everyone out of the water to sign Tanaka now, I will be disappointed. I kinda already am ... I was looking forward to trying to do it the Cardinals way. Sigh.
[21] Choo can't hit lefties. At all. Ellsbury doesn't have much power vs LHP - though maybe the Stadium will help - but has good avg and OBP vs lefties.
[17] Ding-ding-ding...we have a winner.
This organization is rudderless, or schizophrenic, or both. Whatever.
Someone explain to me why the Yanks supposedly won't go past $175M for the best second baseman in baseball, but can get to 7/153 (possibly 8/169) for a decent CF which doesn't fill any real need beyond tweaking their parochial rivals, who manage to run their team a little more money-wise than Cashman.
They'll sign Cano too.
[26] They'd better; it's really the only way this signing makes sense at this point. Wonder if they bite the bullet with the luxury tax for one year and then go commando (if you will) when the youngsters make their way up to the majors. Is 2014 the only year they are allowed to reset their clock?
A brittle outfield who only had one great year? Now he is a Yank for 7 years? Looks like another contract like Texeira -- one that works in the short term and we regret in the long term.
Ellsbury had one year where he was great. All the other years, he either sucked or struggled to stay healthy or both. Does a 789 career OPS deserve such a big contract? Even with the quality defense, I don't think so.
Very much not in favor of the contract.
Wow.
[26] Yes. They are telling Cano "this is a team you want to play on. We've given you the place setters to knock in and a little help in the RBI department. The rest is up to you."
Looks like A-Rod has become an afterthought.
Now we need a pitcher, not a belly itcher.
ESPN's Jerry Crasnick is saying this means that Robinson Cano is definitely will not play in the Bronx next year. And that the Yankees don't have enough money left to sign him.
WTF?
What planet is the dude living one?
TB
[30] Hey Boat! Figured you would show up today too. Crasnick..isn't he one of those 'so&so is a good clubhouse guy' type reporters, not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
[31] Well, he obviously is tone deaf, dumb and blind to the realities of today's marketplace and today's NY Yankees.
If you listen to the interview, the certainty with which he stated that "Ellbury is taking Cano's place on the rooster" is frighteningly uninformed.
The Hot Stove is finally heating up. When are you ready for an eggnog?
Definitely way overpriced.
Ells is Gritner with a little extra pop and a little less durability. He's fun to have on the team -- the outfield is going to be really good -- but it's going to hurt in 2019.
Oh well, not my money.
I always felt that Ellsbury was overrated though I never really did a stats analysis on him. I looked briefly at his stats last night and I thought he was better than I remembered. I think as a table setter he's pretty good. I think it's a good signing. I think the Yankees reached a point where we had too many guys who might have high OBPs but didn't hit for average. If you are all OBP you don't score. Ellsbury does at least add that average component and he adds speed. So I'm ok with this. Never loved him and do think he is overrated but he seems solid enough (for 5 years maybe haha).
I can’t believe it.
TERRIBLE SIGNING!
Worst contract since Carl Crawford!
The guy has a career OPS of 108, and you pay him $22m/yr? TERRIBLE!
Elite defender? He had accumulated 4 dWar in 6 full years. Elite?
21 Defensive Runs Saved in 6 years! I mean, that’s good…. but TWENTY TWO FUCKIN’ MILLION A YEAR?
TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE SIGNING!
The only good news is the $189m must be out the window.
If not…. if Cano and Kuroda sign, the checkbook is empty.
TERRIBLE SIGNING!
from FanGraphs:
Steamer and ZIPS both see him as roughly a +4 WAR player in 2014. If we do the standard half WAR per season decay for aging, then Ellsbury would project out to +17.5 WAR over the next seven years.
So…. $153m / 17.5 WAR = $8.75m/WAR. What a steal!
TERRIBLE SIGNING!
Ellsbury is an All-Star and Gardner is expendable. Right?
Ellsbury has played about SIX full years: 3204 PA
vs
Gardner has played about FOUR full years: 2228 PA
——— JE —vs– BG
fWar: 23.7 vs 17.8
bWar: 21.0 vs 19.3
dWar: 4.0 vs 8.5 (from BBR)
wRC+: 109 vs 101
DRS: 27 vs 84 (!!!!!!! and Ellsbury will play CF????)
OPS+: 108 vs 97
fAFld: 43.7 vs 73.2 (FG Aggregate Fielding)
In 4 years, FanGraphs has Ellsbury, in CF, with a total of ZERO URZ.
In 3 years, FanGraphs has Gardner, in CF, with a total of 17.7 URZ.
TERRIBLE SIGNING!
35) Wait--what are you saying?
[35] have the Yankees said that he'll play center field? I do agree it makes sense to keep Gardner there.
[27] They'd better; it's really the only way this signing makes sense at this point.
True.
Wonder if they bite the bullet with the luxury tax for one year and then go commando (if you will) when the youngsters make their way up to the majors.
Hahahahahahahahahaha....no, seriously, that was a good one. Thanks, I needed a good laugh this morning.
[37] I imagine Gritner will be trade bait. They'll need to clear space for Ichiro and Soriano and Wells to play in the OF.
[39] well, hopefully not. I would hope that Wells would be the first to go even if it means paying part of his salary.
With an outfield of Ellsbury, Gardner and Ichiro, we will have a great fly all defense. Now might have been the time for Phil Hughes to pitch.
I'm fine with all of the criticisms of Ellsbury except for the claims of him being some kind of major injury risk.
In 2010 he runs into Adrian Beltre, who's a brick effing wall, and cracks his ribs. The injury is then MISDIAGNOSED by the Boston team doctors and his rehab completely botched. Two years later he's sliding into second and is body slammed by Reid Brignac...shit happens. Those are injuries that could happen to literally anyone, they're in no way indicative of future performance.
I'm fine with criticizing his game, for the record I think years 5-7 here will be a dumpster fire, but trying to draw some bigger point from two freak injuries doesn't really wash.
[40] I guess Wells doesn't cost anything this year (because LAA is paying all or most of his salary), so he could be dumped at basically no cost. But then again, this team went out of its way to *get* him after he proved he was about the worst OF in the game for two seasons running. So who knows what they are thinking.
[41] They're fast, but unless they can jump over the fence and run up into the bleachers to make the catch, they couldn't have helped Hughes too much.