Jacoby Ellsbury

[17 Seconds]

The guy isn't just a normal base stealer, he stole 70 last year. Sometimes you have to look past OPS. I would trade quite a bit for him.

 

what's more important is that he steals at an awesome rate. he's stolen 129 and only been caught 23 times so far in his career.

 

if he could just become adequate in center he'd be a really nice player

[Clem Fandango]

The guy isn't just a normal base stealer, he stole 70 last year. Sometimes you have to look past OPS. I would trade quite a bit for him.

 

I'll give you that. He can swipe a bag with the best of them, but I'd much prefer a stronger hitter to a stronger base stealer manning center field.

[17 Seconds]

The guy isn't just a normal base stealer, he stole 70 last year. Sometimes you have to look past OPS. I would trade quite a bit for him.

 

I'll give you that. He can swipe a bag with the best of them, but I'd much prefer a stronger hitter to a stronger base stealer manning center field.

 

but with the success rate he has (70 for 82 last season), he's probably still a top 10 offensive center fielder.

[Shilzzz]

Why would the Red Sox do this? They are supposed to have paid Lackey so that they can move Buchholz in a deal like this.

[ELCABALLO45]

Without looking it up.....

 

Who was the first catcher in Ellsbury career to throw him out trying to steal?

 

 

Jason Kendall :?

 

[Rob]

The guy isn't just a normal base stealer, he stole 70 last year. Sometimes you have to look past OPS. I would trade quite a bit for him.

 

Ellsbury's baserunning was worth about 5.6 runs last year, total. 7.5 runs year before last. His total offensive contributions (batting and baserunning) are in Kosuke territory, given about the same amount of PA. And last year at least, UZR had him as one of the worst defensive CF in baseball (along with Kosuke, Fowler, and Wells)

 

How many of our top prospects would you give up for another Kosuke?

[Moises a loo]

I'd rather they go after, like, Chris Dickerson. The Reds don't seem to value him much.

[E.J.]

Without looking it up.....

 

Who was the first catcher in Ellsbury career to throw him out trying to steal?

 

 

Jason Kendall :?

 

I knew the answer as soon as I saw who was asking the question.

[Old Style]

I like this much better than Byrd, Pods, or Ankiel.

[ELCABALLO45]

Without looking it up.....

 

Who was the first catcher in Ellsbury career to throw him out trying to steal?

 

 

Jason Kendall :?

 

I knew the answer as soon as I saw who was asking the question.

 

:D

[erik316wttn]

Without looking it up.....

 

Who was the first catcher in Ellsbury career to throw him out trying to steal?

 

 

Jason Kendall :?

 

I knew the answer as soon as I saw who was asking the question.

 

:D

 

Did Ellsbury break both legs running to 2nd?

[Eric Clipperton]

The guy isn't just a normal base stealer, he stole 70 last year. Sometimes you have to look past OPS. I would trade quite a bit for him.

 

Ellsbury's baserunning was worth about 5.6 runs last year, total. 7.5 runs year before last. His total offensive contributions (batting and baserunning) are in Kosuke territory, given about the same amount of PA. And last year at least, UZR had him as one of the worst defensive CF in baseball (along with Kosuke, Fowler, and Wells)

 

How many of our top prospects would you give up for another Kosuke?

 

Ellsbury is exactly the type of player I expect the Cubs to way, way overpay for.

[davell]

The guy isn't just a normal base stealer, he stole 70 last year. Sometimes you have to look past OPS. I would trade quite a bit for him.

 

Ellsbury's baserunning was worth about 5.6 runs last year, total. 7.5 runs year before last. His total offensive contributions (batting and baserunning) are in Kosuke territory, given about the same amount of PA. And last year at least, UZR had him as one of the worst defensive CF in baseball (along with Kosuke, Fowler, and Wells)

 

How many of our top prospects would you give up for another Kosuke?

 

But, wouldn't you expect Ellsbury to still get better, given his age? Add in his cost factor and I think he'd be a very welcome addition, especially given our payroll situation. That said, I don't see us going after him, nor San Diego wanting to part with him, IF they even acquire him.

[ELCABALLO45]

Without looking it up.....

 

Who was the first catcher in Ellsbury career to throw him out trying to steal?

 

 

Jason Kendall :?

 

I knew the answer as soon as I saw who was asking the question.

 

:D

 

Did Ellsbury break both legs running to 2nd?

 

No, it was in 2008 when Kendall had his crazy good fluke year at throwing out runners.

[Backtobanks]

I don't know why we're kidding ourselves, Ellsbury will remain a member of the Red Sox or go to the Padres in a deal for Gonzalez.

[Old Style]

I don't know why we're kidding ourselves

It's what Cubs fans are masters of.

[Guest]

I don't know why we're kidding ourselves, Ellsbury will remain a member of the Red Sox or go to the Padres in a deal for Gonzalez.

 

Exactly.

 

But, I am curious what the Red Sox would be giving up to get Gonzalez. Gonzalez is still cheap this year and next. The Padres still need a SS and Lowrie (even if he hasn't lived up to his early hype) fills that spot. Boston could pick up a little bit of Kotchman's contract along with sending Ellsbury.

 

Looking at Boston's roster, you have to figure they aren't done making moves, even if they trade for Gonzalez. They have A LOT of veteran players without positions.

 

DH- Ortiz

C- Victor Martinez, Varitek

1b- Kotchman, Youkilis, Victor Martinez, (Gonzalez??)

2b- Pedroia

SS- Scutaro, Lowrie

3b- Lowell, Youkilis

OF- Hermida, Drew, Cameron, Ellsbury

 

Even if they don't trade for Gonzalez, you still have to figure someone's gotta go.

[Pushfrog98]

I don't know why we're kidding ourselves, Ellsbury will remain a member of the Red Sox or go to the Padres in a deal for Gonzalez.

 

Exactly.

 

But, I am curious what the Red Sox would be giving up to get Gonzalez. Gonzalez is still cheap this year and next. The Padres still need a SS and Lowrie (even if he hasn't lived up to his early hype) fills that spot. Boston could pick up a little bit of Kotchman's contract along with sending Ellsbury.

 

Looking at Boston's roster, you have to figure they aren't done making moves, even if they trade for Gonzalez. They have A LOT of veteran players without positions.

 

DH- Ortiz

C- Victor Martinez, Varitek

1b- Kotchman, Youkilis, Victor Martinez, (Gonzalez??)

2b- Pedroia

SS- Scutaro, Lowrie

3b- Lowell, Youkilis

OF- Hermida, Drew, Cameron, Ellsbury

 

Even if they don't trade for Gonzalez, you still have to figure someone's gotta go.

Didn't they just trade Lowell for another catcher (Max Ramirez)? Or has that not gone through yet? If it has, it moves Youkilis back to 3rd but you still have a logjam of Martinez/Kotchman/Possibly Gonzalez if they get him. Granted, that doesn't make it a logjam because obviously you start Gonzalez... but whats that going to do with Varitek/Martinez/Kotchman? At least it seems like the Yankees spend all their money on positions they don't have filled yet...

[dew1679666265]

Didn't they just trade Lowell for another catcher (Max Ramirez)? Or has that not gone through yet? If it has, it moves Youkilis back to 3rd but you still have a logjam of Martinez/Kotchman/Possibly Gonzalez if they get him. Granted, that doesn't make it a logjam because obviously you start Gonzalez... but whats that going to do with Varitek/Martinez/Kotchman? At least it seems like the Yankees spend all their money on positions they don't have filled yet...

 

They and the Rangers agreed to the trade, but before it became official there were some questions raised about Lowell's health. That's held up the deal so far.

[Guest]

Didn't they just trade Lowell for another catcher (Max Ramirez)? Or has that not gone through yet? If it has, it moves Youkilis back to 3rd but you still have a logjam of Martinez/Kotchman/Possibly Gonzalez if they get him. Granted, that doesn't make it a logjam because obviously you start Gonzalez... but whats that going to do with Varitek/Martinez/Kotchman? At least it seems like the Yankees spend all their money on positions they don't have filled yet...

 

This would be a great move by Boston. Kotchman is a below average 1b, Martinez will probably spend a bulk of his time behind the plate and with Youkilis and Gonzalez at the corners, the offense gets a very significant boost.

 

It's way better to improve your team and figure out a way to move the spare parts later than it is to get rid of a solid player and fill that spot with crap.

 

I wish the Cubs were in a position to make upgrades like this (assuming that a Gonzalez trade happens).

[seanhopper]

<>

 

I thought this idea was really pretty crazy, but maybe the Cubs could put themselves in the middle of an Adrian Gonzalez to the Red Sox deal. The Cubs could provide the Red Sox with a younger player who has more years of eligibility available to move on to the Padres for Gonzalez. The Cubs will have to give up some pretty good prospects.

[davearm2]

Hard for me to imagine the Boras Factor is much of an issue with a guy still 4 years from free agency.

 

If the Padres were inclined to flip Ellsbury for even younger player(s), the time for that would be in two or three years.

[Sever82]

Hard for me to imagine the Boras Factor is much of an issue with a guy still 4 years from free agency.

 

If the Padres were inclined to flip Ellsbury for even younger player(s), the time for that would be in two or three years.

 

 

According to Keith Law, he's not sure where Ellsbury would fit for the Padres.

[Guest]

Hard for me to imagine the Boras Factor is much of an issue with a guy still 4 years from free agency.

 

If the Padres were inclined to flip Ellsbury for even younger player(s), the time for that would be in two or three years.

 

According to Keith Law, he's not sure where Ellsbury would fit for the Padres.

 

No disrespect to Keith Law, but Ellsbury is better than Tony Gwynn Jr., and actually they would probably both be in the outfield together and batting 1/2 in their line up. The Padres feel they would be more productive with a speed oriented offense in their spacious and pitcher friendly ball park.

[Rob]

The guy isn't just a normal base stealer, he stole 70 last year. Sometimes you have to look past OPS. I would trade quite a bit for him.

 

Ellsbury's baserunning was worth about 5.6 runs last year, total. 7.5 runs year before last. His total offensive contributions (batting and baserunning) are in Kosuke territory, given about the same amount of PA. And last year at least, UZR had him as one of the worst defensive CF in baseball (along with Kosuke, Fowler, and Wells)

 

How many of our top prospects would you give up for another Kosuke?

 

But, wouldn't you expect Ellsbury to still get better, given his age? Add in his cost factor and I think he'd be a very welcome addition, especially given our payroll situation. That said, I don't see us going after him, nor San Diego wanting to part with him, IF they even acquire him.

 

He's 26, so he's just entering his prime. Still, his swing and body aren't exactly conducive to adding a bunch of power and from what I've seen, it seems the big green monster is responsible for a nice chunk of his doubles power already. So do I see him getting better? No, not significantly.

 

Ellsbury is a nice little player, I'm not trying to deny him that. However, the marginal value that he provides over somebody like Fuld simply isn't worth the cost in prospects it would take to acquire him. In all likelihood the Cubs would be best served to hold onto those trade chips and wait til midseason to see if a better player doesn't become available.