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Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury will be a free agent at the end of the season and Boston is eager to re-sign him, but a possible asking price of more than $100 million may give them second thoughts, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
Read More Red Sox: Over the MonsterHeyman cites sources familiar with the situation in Boston, saying that the Red Sox are keen on keeping Ellsbury but should the price tag reach into the $100 million range, they aren't optimistic that Boston will do what it takes to sign the 2011 AL MVP runner-up. Based on Heyman's report, the type of deal that Ellsbury and agent Scott Boras are looking for appears to be at odds with the Red Sox strategy of signing more "mid-range" deals, with mid-range presumably referring to deals like the three-year one given toShane Victorino this offseason and the two-year ones they handed Ryan Dempster and David Ross. Heyman quotes Red Sox GM Ben Cherington:"I think any team would say in a perfect world they would stick to shorter-term deals. There's always exceptions. We obviously made an exception in [Dustin] Pedroia's case."That message is as non-committal as we would expect from a GM working on a deal, but still seems to indicate a potential issue given the metaphors Boras is tossing around:
"Free agency is like the Navy. You can have a number of mid-range missiles, but they only work as long as you have the aircraft carrier to put them on."Ellsbury is having a strong season this year, hitting .296/.354/.421 over 618 plate appearances as the Red Sox lead-off hitter. Most importantly, he has stayed healthy. He played just 74 games in 2012 and was surprisingly unproductive when he was on the field, hitting .271.313/.370 after a MVP-caliber season in 2011 that saw him hit 32 home runs with a .321/.376/.552 line. He also missed nearly all of the 2010 season after a collision with third baseman Adrian Beltre.
Ellsbury's injuries and outlier performance in 2011 make him an interesting free agent case this offseason. Heyman cites executives from other teams who quite reasonably compared Ellsbury to B.J. Upton, who signed a five-year, $75.2 million deal last offseason. Boras has offered up a more lucrative comparison, saying Ellsbury has several things that separate him from fellow Boras client Carl Crawford:"Two things separate Ellsbury. Carl Crawford was never proven as a lead-off hitter, and Carl Crawford is not a center fielder. They are two different animals. It's not a consideration because he's a corner outfielder. Just think if Carl Crawford could play center field."After being burned on that Crawford deal, it isn't surprising that the Red Sox front office might be cautious giving another speedy outfielder a pricy long-term contract. Ellsbury has been a popular and productive player when healthy, but there is no denying the risk he poses on such a sizable deal.
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BJ fukin Upton got 5 years 75 million and your telling me Ellsbury wont get 5-6 over 110 mill? ooooooookComment -
reyes 2012 (his last full season): .287 11 hrs 57 rbi 40 sb 37 doubles .347 obp .433 slg .780 ops 56 k
ellsbury 2013: .298 9 hr 53 rbi 52 sb 31 doubles .355 obp .426 slg .781 ops 92 k
how is ellsbury 10x better? they have similar numbers, except ellsbury strikes out nearly twice as much.
just goes to show how retarded you are.
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Ells is vastly overrated. And this is coming from a Sox fan.
Dude has only hit double-digit HRs ONCE, when he hit 32. Big red flag right there. I'm sure he was sauced to the max that year.
But he can get on a base and steal...WHEN HEALTHYComment -
Look at Elisbury stats
Average his whole careerComment -
Reyes played a more premium position and was better defensively.
Additionally, Reyes's contract year was similar to Ellsbury's, despite playing in a pitcher's park.
Both very talented speedsters who got injured frequently.
Reyes actually has averaged more games played per season than Ellsbury, and almost the exact same home runs per season, despite playing in parks where it's difficult to hit home runs.[quote=jjgold;5683305]I win again like usual
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[quote=Whippit;7921056]miami won't lose a single eastern conference game through end of season[/quote]Comment -
true..but..Reyes has never had a OPS. of .900 or above...Ellsbury has done it twice (the two season where he has been fully healthy an had 600+ plate appearances..
also Reyes have had a slugging % above .490...Ellsbury has slugged 500+ (those same two seasons he had 600+ ABs) and his lifetime OBP is higher than Reyes'. although its by a little, still higher.
if the guy can stay healthy he's a monster. Reyes hasn't exactly been an iron man either since years 3-5 in his career.Comment -
That's what I wrote:
Ellsbury is hardly 5x or 10x better than Reyes. He's slightly better and had the advantage of playing in a much more hitter-friendly park, and playing in better lineups.Both very talented speedsters who got injured frequently.
Reyes signed at 28, Ellsbury at 30.
Reyes is a four time All Star. Ellsbury made it once. Reyes has posted a WAR over 3 four times. Ellsbury has done it twice.[quote=jjgold;5683305]I win again like usual
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[quote=Whippit;7921056]miami won't lose a single eastern conference game through end of season[/quote]Comment
Originally Posted by crustyme 
