Dreaming Aloud: Could Jacoby Ellsbury Return to Red Sox?

Is there potential for the former Red Sox sparkplug to return home from “the Evil Empire?”

And now, for a Jacoby Ellsbury nostalgia piece.

When the Red Sox selected Jacoby Ellsbury out of Oregon State, Theo Epstein and Co. were fresh off breaking the “Curse of the Bambino.” The MLB Draft, in the midst of the sweltering summer of 2005, would be the next site of Epstein’s genius.

In the first round, the Red Sox drafted five eventual major leaguers: RP Craig Hansen, SP Clay Buchholz, SS Jed Lowrie, RP Michael Bowden, and (my favorite player of all time) OF Jacoby Ellsbury. Ellsbury, a first team All-American and co-PAC-12 Player of the Year, was chosen with the 23rd pick in that first round. [Impressively, the Red Sox also drafted numerous future All-Stars on other teams, Orioles slugger Pedro Alvarez, Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon, and Astros’ catcher Jason Castro that year.]

Anyway, back to Ellsbury. From 2007 through 2013, Jacoby Ellsbury (when healthy) was one of the most vital pieces of the Red Sox. In 2007, as a rookie, Ellsbury platooned with Coco Crisp in a season that culminated with a World Series sweep of the Colorado Rockies. As part of some bizarre World Series promotion, Taco Bell gave free tacos to everyone in America because Ellsbury stole a base. That was the first and last time I ever ate Taco Bell.

During Ellsbury’s time in Boston, many fans were frustrated by his struggles with injuries; a concept I have never understood, as it isn’t within a player’s control– like with Ellsbury– when he literally has broken ribs. I was more frustrated by the fact that he was robbed of the American League Most Valuable Player award in 2011.

In 2011, Ellsbury finished second in MVP voting. He hit .321/.372/.556, with 32 homers, 105 RBI and 39 stolen bases. In addition to the Silver Slugger award that Ellsbury won, he also won a Gold Glove for his defense in center field. This, in my opinion, is particularly impressive; center field in Fenway seems like an absolute nightmare.

So, how could Ellsbury be headed back to Boston? As you may remember, Ellsbury signed a monster 7 year, $153 million contract with the New York Yankees during the 2013 off-season. To some degree, Ellsbury has not lived up to expectations in New York; which is fine, because the Yankees’ potential, impending fire sale (they are 9 games out) means Ellsbury could be on the market.

While the Red Sox haven’t exactly set the world on fire lately, the Yankees are 39-39 and 8.5 games out of first place. New York needs a complete rebuild; the entire infield is either old or average, and their farm system leaves much to be desired. If Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is going to begin a rebuild his tradeable assets are: OF Carlos Beltran, OF Jacoby Ellsbury, RP Aroldis Chapman, RP Andrew Miller, and RP Dellin Betances.

And, while the teams have been hesitant to work with each other in the past, Red Sox president Dave Dombrowski has made it clear he is willing to work with the Yankees. While Ellsbury still has a few years remaining on his contract, perhaps the Yankees would be willing to off-set some of his contract in exchange for a couple of mid-level prospects.

Ellsbury, in my opinion, would be able to start in left field (as he has before) immediately; and, Chris Young can continue to platoon in the outfield when he returns from the disabled list. Is this a possibility? Yes. So, lets make a deal.

Next: Red Sox Add New Starter, Aaron Wilkerson

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