Today the newest Yankee was revealed, Jacoby Ellsbury, who is to don the number 22 next season. It was a rapid move for the Yankees and the deal fell through quickly. Ellsbury again and again mentioned how excited he was to be joining the Yankees (he doesn't seem to have a flair for these press conferences, I must say), and that he was committed to being part of the core of the future team.
Some have been rubbing their heads at this quick acquisition by the Yankees, especially when the pitching staff has been so lacking (in an era where pitching is dominant again, no less). These people have generally questioned why Ellsbury was so quick to get a seven-year deal while Robbie Cano was let go so comparatively easily.
Whatever the case, Ellsbury brings a lot to the lineup- speed and a healthy dose of power. If indeed he and Bret Gardner are on the same team next year (Michael Kay and others have remarked that the acquisition of Ellsbury fills Bret Gardner's role, making a trade of him for a decent pitcher a more likely possibility), they will be able to make a lot of things happen to move runners across the field and into scoring position. It will healthily compliment the other new bats that were brought in to plug the gaps in the Yankee offensive line that was so uncharacteristically weak last year.
Only time will tell whether this investment was worth a possible go for more pitching, especially in the bullpen. We will await the next few adventures for the start of a verdict.
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