New York Yankees: Resurgence of Jacoby Ellsbury Just in Time

Just when it looked as if all hope was lost in Jacoby Ellsbury, the expensive center fielder picked up his play just in time for the New York Yankees playoff run.

Throughout the season, Yankees fans consistently pulled their hair out trying to understand or justify why the team offered a seven-year, $153 million contract to Jacoby Ellsbury as a free agent in 2013. Four years into his deal, with $63 million remaining, it’s looking like the New York Yankees will never get the production Ellsbury had in Boston. With the Red Sox, he enjoyed his lone All-Star appearance in 2011 after finishing the season with a career-high 32 home runs, .321 batting average, 52 walks, and 105 runs batted in.

Nagging injuries have prevented the high-priced center fielder from living up to the $21.1 million yearly price tag the Yankees have endured. Ellsbury’s inability to consistently be in the lineup has made it difficult for him to hit for average and cause havoc on the base paths with his speed. Despite not being able to ever fully live up to his contract, Ellsbury made productive strides in September leading up to the postseason.

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In September, Ellsbury showed flashes of the player he used to be, the one the Yankees were hoping to get when they gave him the third largest contract ever for an outfielder at the time. Pitching and defense win championships but clutch, timely hitting definitely contributes as well. The production Ellsbury had leading up to the American League Wild Card Game has earned him playing time again.

A .337 batting average, 21 runs, 14 walks, and six stolen bases in September is the type of production that can be very crucial if carried over into October when facing some of the best pitchers in baseball. If there’s any doubt about Ellsbury’s regular season stats, one thing that’s for certain is that he has a knack for performing on the biggest stage.

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In 39 postseason games, the two-time World Series Champion (07′, 13′) has a .299 batting average, 11 doubles, 17 runs batted in, 11 stolen bases, and 13 walks. If there’s any way to justify his deal, now is the perfect time to replicate those numbers. There’s nothing like having a great postseason and in Ellsbury’s case, this is the best way to earn his keep. It’s hard to get over $153 million going to waste, but a World Series title can soften the blow.

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