Ellsbury, Yankees agree to seven
Jacoby Ellsbury won two championships with the Red Sox. Will he sign with the rival Yankees? (USATSI)Star free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and the Yankees have agreed on a $153-million, seven-year deal, sources said.
The longtime Red Sox leadoff man is said to have chosen the Yankees over Boston and several other teams. The sides are only finalizing details.
Ellsbury was said by a person to be on his way from Phoenix for a physical.
The blockbuster signing is only the latest Boston-to-New York move. Because he is a center fielder, it is reminiscent of the Johnny Damon move nine years ago, which also followed a Red Sox World Series championship.
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Neither the Yankees nor agent Scott Boras immediately confirmed a deal had been struck, but sources suggest there are only final details to be iorned out.
The Yankees have been in simultaneous talks with Shin-Soo Choo, Carlos Beltran, and many other top free agents, including their own Robinson Cano. Things haven't been progressing with Cano, as the Yankees don't want to go much beyond $170 million over seven years, with Cano looking for $260 million at the moment.
Sources didn't rule out the Yankees continuing pursuit of Choo or Beltran, but it would seem that the need would be elsewhere assuming the Ellsbury deal goes through.
Yankees people envision Ellsbury in center field with Brett Gardner moving to left, and the two of them combining for a dynamic top of the lineup. The Yankees once lured Johnny Damon from Boston in a similar move.
It is believed the deal would exceed Carl Crawford's $142-million, seven-year deal. One estimate has the deal at about $150 million.
Ellsbury has been been pursued by his old Red Sox team, and it is believed the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants were among other teams to show interest.
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