Signing Ellsbury A Must

I am quite fond of what Jacoby Ellsbury brings to a lineup. Jake’s average hovers around .300, can hit left handed pitching (.289 career), is an excellent outfielder and a top of the line game changer with his speed. Speed has been traditionally a rare commodity in Boston, and now with Farrell’s base running aggressiveness, Ellsbury becomes a significant piece in that part of managerial strategy.
Aug 8, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (2) can
The downside is Scott Boras. The mention of his name brings a variety of palpitations to fans and management who have longed for some type of comeuppance for Mr. Boras – and that is as rare as a cognizant comment from Alex Rodriguez. Seems that Ellsbury moving on is a done deal in these parts, especially with the potential (Note: potential) emergence of Jackie Bradley. Why spend the money? Why pile on the years? Multiple arguments that RSN can repeat by rote.

I go with that well known social philosopher Dear Abby. Are you better off with him or without him? I am firmly in the with him camp. Of course there is always a fiscal caveat and that is certainly one that will determine his potential signing. The Red Sox previous signing of Carl Crawford clearly demonstrates how they view that particular skill set.

Will suitors look at Ellbury of 2011? I care to think of the Ellsbury of 2013 as what you get. Boras will roll out several reams of metrics to show Ellsbury is a hybrid Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb and that is what good agents are for and Boras is not a good agent but a great agent. So I will make an assumption that somehow the Red Sox maintain control. Now what? Aug 2, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez (center) celebrates with right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (left) after defeating the Cleveland Indians 10-0 at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Ellsbury could move to LF. After all Adrian Beltre is not around to steamroll Jake. Young Mr. Bradley has shown defensive skills at both LF and CF so flexibility exists. However, I will go the other route and that is the blockbuster deal, and that would be Giancarlo Stanton, who is forever available.

Stanton has had a down year. Stanton is a risk since just maybe those pitchers are wise to something, but I’m a risk taker by nature and just maybe Ben Cherrington is on this one. Stanton is just too good to pass up. Having a Bradley as part of the bait just might get it done, and that price will certainly be more than Bradley, and that could determine direction. A monster RH bat. Just too tempting.