Theo Epstein might be lurking in the bushes — figuratively speaking.
Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News reports that the Mariners have “no interest” in Jacoby Ellsbury. Feinsand is also hearing, however, that the Cubs are “stealthily waiting in the wings” as the market develops for the free-agent outfielder.
Feinsand notes that the market for Ellsbury looks thin. Ellsbury’s agent, Scott Boras, is reportedly looking for a deal similar to Carl Crawford‘s seven-year, $142 million contract, and that could be enough to scare some teams away. While Ellsbury is a dynamic player, he is a 30-year-old with an injury history who relies heavily on his speed. A Crawford-like contract would absolutely require a team to roll the dice.
CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman on Wednesday listed the Yankees, Nationals, Mariners and Red Sox as teams interested in Ellsbury, although ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick — like Feinsand — reports that Seattle’s interest has been overblown. The Cubs, while certainly brought up in speculation, haven’t been linked to Ellsbury as heavily until this point. But Epstein (now serving as president of the Cubs) and Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer know Ellsbury well from their days with the Red Sox, so perhaps there will be some legs to the new rumor.
Consider yourself warned. The Cubs’ stealth is wearing off.
[tweet https://twitter.com/FeinsandNYDN/status/400709722740772864 align=’center’]
Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.
