Report: Giants have discussed Ellsbury trade with Yankees

The San Francisco Giants are on the hunt for help in their outfield and the search has taken them to New York.

San Francisco's front office has spoken to the New York Yankees about Jacoby Ellsbury and would likely be open to taking on the outfielder's pricey contract for one of similar value, reports ESPN's Buster Olney.

One name Olney mentions as a possible candidate to move to New York is Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto.

Cueto is owed $68 million over the next three seasons, including the $5-million buyout on his 2022 option year. The 32-year-old right-hander is expected to miss the entire 2019 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August.

In comparison, the 35-year-old Ellsbury is owed $48 million over the next two seasons, including a $5-million buyout on his 2021 option.

Cueto has posted a 3.45 ERA in 66 starts for the Giants, racking up 372 strikeouts in 420 innings.

Ellsbury, who finished second in American League MVP voting in 2011, hasn't been able to replicate that level of production since signing a seven-year, $153-million contract with the Yankees before the 2014 season.

In 520 career games with the Yankees, Ellsbury owns a .264/.330/.386 slash line with 39 home runs and 198 RBIs.

He missed the entire 2018 campaign with multiple injuries.