The writing on the wall suggests Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury may not win a starting job in 2018, and that has reportedly led Ellsbury to consider a move elsewhere.
Ellsbury said this winter that he was not willing to waive his no-trade clause. It sounds like that is no longer the case, and that the Giants are one of the teams he would accept a trade to, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
Jacoby Ellsbury was said early this winter not to want to waive his full no-trade clause, but word now is that he might consider waiving it for a select few teams, and the San Francisco Giants could be one of them.
Ellsbury could fit in as the Giants’ center fielder, whereas with the Yankees he seems destined to be the fourth outfielder, as Yankees people say they are going with Aaron Hicks in center field. Ellsbury lives in the Phoenix area, so the Giants’ spring home in Scottsdale would be a plus for him, too.
Ellsbury, 34, missed a good chuck of last season after sustaining a concussion when he ran into the outfield wall. He had a solid season at the plate with a slash line of .264/.348/.402, but hasn’t posted an above average OPS since 2013. Ellsbury made his only All-Star team in 2011, while also winning his only Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award that season. The 2008 rookie of the year is owed over $63 million guaranteed through the 2020 season on his current deal.
The Giants traded centerfielder Deanrd Span to the Rays on Wednesday, in a deal where they received third baseman Evan Longoria. Hunter Pence is currently the only player with experience as an everyday outfielder on their roster.
