In order to jettison who has become the team's fourth or perhaps fifth outfielder after acquiring Giancarlo Stanton from the Miami Marlins, the New York Yankees are reportedly willing to eat at least half of Jacoby Ellsbury's salary, according to a report from Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
Ellsbury is due just over $22 million next year, but it's unclear if the Yankees are willing to subsidize beyond the 2018 season. The 34-year-old center fielder is guaranteed more than $68 million over the next three seasons, including a $5-million buyout in 2021.
Compounding matters is the fact that Ellsbury possesses a full no-trade clause, and would have the final say on where he lands. A report surfaced earlier in the offseason that the veteran would be "unlikely" to waive the clause.
Stanton, Aaron Judge, and Brett Gardner seem to be the likely candidates to play in the Yankees' outfield come Opening Day. A breakout campaign from Aaron Hicks last year - who is capable of playing center field - might relegate Ellsbury even further down the depth chart.
Ellsbury signed a seven-year deal worth $153 million prior to the 2014 season. In 112 games last year, he slashed .264/.348/.402 while seeming to take a step back defensively.
After taking on a large portion of Stanton's contract, the Yankees have put themselves close to the luxury tax threshold, and are projected to owe $162.3 million in payroll next year. Expected to be significant players in the free agent market next winter, New York seems poised to rid itself of salary obligations this offseason.
