Jonny Gomes isn’t bitter about Jacoby Ellsbury joining the Yankees. As far as he’s concerned, Ellsbury earned the right to cash in on the open market.
Gomes appeared on WEEI’s Mut & Merloni on Monday, during which he talked about a number of topics, including Ellsbury’s departure. Gomes doesn’t seem to have any issues with Ellsbury following the money, even if it entails the speedy center fielder joining Boston’s most hated rival.
“I’m a firm believer in you are deserving of what someone’s going to give you,” Gomes said. “I’m sure a lot of people want to jump on the salary that he got, but no one wants to jump on some of the CEOs of some of these huge companies that make a lot of money, too.
“I played with [Reds first baseman] Joey Votto for a while, and he did some pretty unbelievable things. I would always break it down to him, too. How many people in the world — in the actual world — can do what he can do? How many people in the world can consistently steal 50 bags in the big leagues and play a Gold Glove center field? What’s the price tag on that?”
The Yankees determined that the price tag is $153 million over the next seven years. It’s a contract that the Red Sox weren’t willing to shell out, especially given the numerous recent examples of long-term deals not working out. Now, it sounds like Gomes and Co. are already looking to move on and shift their focus to 2014, rather than harp on any deals that weren’t made.
“I’m happy for him. He’s got security for his great, great, great, great, great grandkids,” Gomes said of Ellsbury. “But we’ve got a spot to fill. At the same time, we’ve got the Executive of the Year on our side [in general manager Ben Cherington]. Hopefully we’ll get that spot filled.”
Cherington has said that he’s continuing to look at outfield options, but that he’d be comfortable with 23-year-old Jackie Bradley Jr. replacing Ellsbury in center field next season.
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