Should we resign Jacoby Ellsbury?

[Navafan29]

Maybe I won't tell you if you're going to be rude.

 

Also, I don't get if the poll is asking if we should "re-sign" Ellsbury or "resign" (put him off the team) him. Results could be inaccurate if people don't know what they're voting for.

Edited August 20, 2013 by Navafan29

[vjcsmoke]

I'd go 5/75 for Ellsbury. He would be a stabilizing presence in the lineup.

But I would not go for the reported asking price of 20m per year. 8/160 or 10/200, I want ZERO part in that.

Jackie Bradley Junior will likely be at least 85% as good and will cost a lot less money.

 

I'd rather spend the big money on a star starting pitcher or power hitting 1B or LF in next year's free agent market.

[jung]

I think the Sox will make Ells an offer consistent with the way they are approaching salary related issues and especially big contracts. I doubt that it will be enough but IMO they are going to make as much of an effort as they think they can make to sign him.

[rjortiz]

Maybe I won't tell you if you're going to be rude.

 

Also, I don't get if the poll is asking if we should "re-sign" Ellsbury or "resign" (put him off the team) him. Results could be inaccurate if people don't know what they're voting for.

 

You are right. I am sorry. I have abscess the size of a tooth on my gums right now, so I've been in a s*** mood for a day. Shouldn't take it out on strangers.

[marklmw]

I guess you'll still have that memory when he's being thrown out at 2nd as a 36 year old left fielder.

Ate age 36 he will be in the 7th year of his contract ... hypothetically that is ... maybe we will get caught stealing second .... he has been caught 4 times this year as well ... Are you really worried about how many bases Ellsbury will steal as a 36 year old ... come on man ... Pedroia is signed through age 38 ... how many bases will he be stealing at age 38 and how much ground will he cover playing second.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Maybe I won't tell you if you're going to be rude.

 

Also, I don't get if the poll is asking if we should "re-sign" Ellsbury or "resign" (put him off the team) him. Results could be inaccurate if people don't know what they're voting for.

 

 

"Should we resign Ellsbury?" Who says that? Who uses "resign" as a verb?

[jacksonianmarch]

If the sox had nobody in the minors to take over, then yeah. But Ells is proving more and more that 2011 was an anomaly. He's not a power hitter. But he's a true leadoff hitter capable of hitting .300 with a .350+OBP and will steal a s*** ton of bases. Guys like this do not age well. Had he continued his power surge, he'd be worth a lot more since at least the power should continue as he aged. But he hasn't, so buyer beware. Also, having a guy like Bradley allows you to see if the market comes back to the sox. If Ells falls into Bourn territory in terms of money and years, you gotta go for him. If he's going into 6-7 yrs, you gotta pass

[MNSoxChief102]

I voted yes in the poll, although I think the question is much too simplistic, in that it doesn't take into account the ridiculous amount of money re-signing Ells will inevitably take. If money is no object, hell yes I re-sign Ells. In reality, I doubt we do it, as we'd be committing a huge amount of money to a speed player entering his age 30 year. Team player, great clubhouse guy, and speed on the bases not withstanding, I just don't see what he brings that makes him worth the kind of money he'll demand this off-season.

[Bellhorn04]

In a perfect world we'd love to have him back. But it's just one of those situations where the economics are virtually a no-brainer. Ellsbury will get way overpaid by somebody, we have Bradley ready to take his place, and we have other needs to fill.

[Behindenemylines]

If $$$$ where not part of the equation then yes I would resign Ellsbury. He has proven when healthy he can be productive in Boston. He also gives the Sox a lead off hitter who can steal bases (hard to find these) and a very good defensive CF. I would love to pencil in a Bradley-Ellsbury-Victorino outfield. With that said Ellsbury is not a 20 million a year player. Also, long term the older he gets the SBs will start to decrease and the defense probably won't be as good. The Sox could offer him a contract at a value and years that they think he is worth. Lets say 5 years at 17 million per. They could get creative and offer larger $$$$ over 3 years and not have to pay for the decline years. I don't think they should go past 5 years though. I hate to see him go, but I don't want an A-Fraud or Albert P. contract that will be a disaster in the later years.

[RedSoxNC84]

They could get creative and offer larger $$$$ over 3 years and not have to pay for the decline years. I don't think they should go past 5 years though. I hate to see him go, but I don't want an A-Fraud or Albert P. contract that will be a disaster in the later years.

 

Uh oh, Cherington might be throwing out some more 3/39s this offseason

[marklmw]

if $$$$ where not part of the equation then yes i would resign ellsbury. He has proven when healthy he can be productive in boston. He also gives the sox a lead off hitter who can steal bases (hard to find these) and a very good defensive cf. I would love to pencil in a bradley-ellsbury-victorino outfield. With that said ellsbury is not a 20 million a year player. Also, long term the older he gets the sbs will start to decrease and the defense probably won't be as good. The sox could offer him a contract at a value and years that they think he is worth. Lets say 5 years at 17 million per. They could get creative and offer larger $$$$ over 3 years and not have to pay for the decline years. I don't think they should go past 5 years though. I hate to see him go, but i don't want an a-fraud or albert p. Contract that will be a disaster in the later years.

 

66m / 3?

[rjortiz]

66m / 3?

 

Wouldn't get it done.

[marklmw]

Wouldn't get it done.

 

He would still be young enough to play for another contract.

[rjortiz]

He would still be young enough to play for another contract.

 

Why settle for nearly $40-$60 million less than what you could get on the open market? He'd be taking a huge gamble.

[win red sox]

If the sox can get him for 5 years with maybe a 6th year mutual option, then it's a no brainer. And here's why.

 

1) Lack of elite bats reaching free agency in there prime.

2) Lack of elite positional players in the minors.

3) How long can Ortiz continue at his current production.

4) Makes Bradley a valuable trade chip.

5) The sox can afford him, next 2-5 years will have an influx of minimal salary players on roster and outside of Pedroia and Buchholz there is no financial commitment outside of 2015.

Edited August 22, 2013 by win red sox

[a700hitter]

There are not a lot of OFers hitting the market this winter. I expect that he will get a premium pay day.

[BornToRun]

I'm still leaning towards Choo. Great OBP skills with consistent 20 HR power. He sucks defensively but we can just stick him in left, put JBJ in center, and have Vic in right. I think we could get him for 4 years at around 70/80 million.

[win red sox]

I'm still leaning towards Choo. Great OBP skills with consistent 20 HR power. He sucks defensively but we can just stick him in left, put JBJ in center, and have Vic in right. I think we could get him for 4 years at around 70/80 million.

 

Not trying to be an ass, but you would want Choo at 4/80 rather than Ellsbury at 5/100?

[a700hitter]

Not trying to be an ass, but you would want Choo at 4/80 rather than Ellsbury at 5/100?

No, I know that you weren't asking me, but I would rather Ells in that case.

[BornToRun]

Not trying to be an ass, but you would want Choo at 4/80 rather than Ellsbury at 5/100?

It's close. If 5/100 were guaranteed to do it and I felt better about Ells' power remaining consistent, I'd probably take Jacoby. Choo is a consistent guy who's pretty much certain to get 20 homers a year with a .390-.400 OBP.

As it stands now, 5/100 for Jacoby and I'm down for that but I'm not sure that's what he's gonna ask for.

[VA Sox Fan]

Interesting bit from Peter Abe at the Globe the other day:

 

 

Scott Boras has an evil plan that might actually make sense: Sign Jacoby Ellsbury and keep him in center. Play Jackie Bradley Jr. in left. Sign Stephen Drew and keep him at shortstop. Shift Xander Bogaerts to third and play Will Middlebrooks at first.

 

Boras represents Bogaerts, Bradley, Drew, and Ellsbury, of course.

 

The guess here is that Ellsbury signs with a team on the West Coast and Bradley plays center next season. If Ellsbury truly wanted to stay, he would have made a deal by now.

 

Don't blame Boras if that happens. Jered Weaver decided he wanted to stay with the Angels long term in 2011 and directed Boras to make a deal. In the end, agents do what the player tells them. Ellsbury turns 30 in a few weeks. He's not some impressionable kid.

[SoxSport]

Neither one of those guys is worth $20 mil. And I doubt they will get it--except maybe from the Dodgers. LOL.

They are better off putting Bradley at center, and Nava/Gomes in left.

What they could use is some consistent power behind Ortiz in the middle of the order. Like a Manny in his prime. The middle part of their order sucks. Nava isn't a no.5. Napoli is inconsistent. Middlebrooks is a work in progress. Salty? no.

[SoxSport]

Interesting 60% voted not to sign Ells. I can see why. Bora$ is one reason. I don't see why JBJ can't play CF.

 

Trouble is, this FO may have a different mindset. They may re-sign both Ells and Drew for big bucks--both Bora$ clients.

Drew is hitting .300 after the all-star break. That would effectively block Bogaerts at SS. Maybe they see Bogaerts at 3B and Middlebrooks at 1B. In LF, you figure JBJ, but what about Gomes/Nava?

[mvp 78]

John Heyman said it would take 5/75. That's fine with me. However, I think some team is going to overpay at 6/100.

[dupree]

Ive been consistent in saying that the Red Sox should resign Ells. Even tho he is about to turn 30 he plays CF well and he is hell on the base paths. Also him at the top of the order is a plus as well. Anything in the five year deal range is a must sign. If the Sox win it all this year or go far into the playoffs will help us resign him i think. Having Boras as his agent will be difficult to say the least to resign him but if Ells wants to come back and if the FO wants him back he will be here next year. Im not sold on JBJ. Id like to see them package him in a deal to get starting pitching. Can JBJ play center for us at league average level?... projected he can, will he be better than Ells? He may stay healthier which is a lot of poster's big fear, but as far as produce the steals and OBP as Ells i seriously doubt it. Ells is a pitching staffs nightmare as far as when he gets on base. They know hes going to 2nd and getting in scoring position and getting there a high percentage of times.

 

I hope they resign Ells and play him in CF. And also Napoli to play 1B. He does strickout far too much but when hes hot he can carry a team. Let Drew walk. Slot Boggey in at SS. Middlebrooks at 3rd. Peddy of course at 2nd. Vic in RF. And go out and get a big bat to play LF to slot into the lineup behind Ortiz. Let Carp and Gomes and Nava be bench players as they are intended to be. Having a platoon of Gomes/Nava in LF would be a disappointment to me. This is the Boston f***ing Red Sox we have money use it and spend it on a masher to make the 2014 lineup the most feared in baseball. Not to say that Gomes Carp and Nava havent filled in nicey but i think a big bat is needed.

[User Name]

I don't think your opinion on JBJ is warranted. Mainly because of the fact that he's almost a sure bet to post a better OBP than Ellsbury right off the bat since he has a much better approach at the plate, and just needs more experience. I have a hard time fathoming what makes you think Ellsbury is a better bet to sustain a high OBP than Bradley.

[User Name]

Having a platoon of Gomes/Nava in LF would be a disappointment to me. This is the Boston f***ing Red Sox we have money use it and spend it on a masher to make the 2014 lineup the most feared in baseball. Not to say that Gomes Carp and Nava havent filled in nicey but i think a big bat is needed.

 

This is exactly the type of flawed thinking that brought about the disaster that was 2012. That's just not how it works. If they feel that a platoon will be more productive than throwing money at some unknown or a guy who's not a sure star/generational talent, then let's have a platoon and screw that stupid "WE'RE THE RED SOX, LET'S THROW MONEY AROUND !!11!!!11!" mentality.

 

The most interesting thing is that the Nava/Gomes platoon has posted comfortably above average numbers when compared to an MLB league average LF's, even with Gomes' inexplicable reverse platoon split this season.

[Orange Juiced]

John Heyman said it would take 5/75. That's fine with me. However, I think some team is going to overpay at 6/100.

 

5/75? You couldn't get me to sign that quickly enough. That would be a great contract. I think it'll end up being something closer to 6/120, to be honest. And that is too rich for my blood.

[Orange Juiced]

This is exactly the type of flawed thinking that brought about the disaster that was 2012. That's just not how it works. If they feel that a platoon will be more productive than throwing money at some unknown or a guy who's not a sure star/generational talent, then let's have a platoon and screw that stupid "WE'RE THE RED SOX, LET'S THROW MONEY AROUND !!11!!!11!" mentality.

 

The most interesting thing is that the Nava/Gomes platoon has posted comfortably above average numbers when compared to an MLB league average LF's, even with Gomes' inexplicable reverse platoon split this season.

 

To your point, here's where the Sox' combined LF production ranks in the AL this year:

 

- OPS: 3rd (.766, the leader is TB at .768)

- R: 2nd (76, the leader is Bal at 81)

- 2b: 1st (30)

- HR: 8th (15, the leader is Sea at 31)

- RBI: 1st (82)

- AVG: 6th (.262, the leader is LAA at .277)

- OBP: 1st (.344)

- SLG: 4th (.421)

 

And they're doing that (basically top-3 overall production from the LF position) for a combined cost (between Nava, Gomes, and Carp) of just a shade over $6 million. That's pretty sweet.