GAME OF CLONES
Duplicative Gardner, Ells finally paying off — which could send one packing
THIS was the design — Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury reaching base frequently, creating opportunities and disruption with their speed. Helping the Yankees win.
It has not happened enough in their four years together. But in the better-late-than-never department, the duo — particularly the revitalized Ellsbury — is providing fuel that not only is helping in season, but could for the postseason and offseason, as well.
On Monday night they stole multiple bases in the same game for the first time as Yankees and each reached base three times. That the Yanks only managed two runs in a 2-1 victory over the Twins was owed to the team going hitless in 12 at-bats with runners in scoring position.
Gardner, as he so often has in his career, has slowed some in September. Still, he finished Monday with a nine-game hitting streak and with hits in 11-of-12 games. Plus, as always, his value is often more nuanced — superb base running, count working, intensity and defense.
For example, in a one-run win Wednesday against the Rays, remembered for Joe Girardi using quick hooks on both Jaime Garcia and Dellin Betances, Gardner made four above-average skill / hustle plays to cut off balls down the leftfield line to hold Tampa Bay hitters to singles on what often would be doubles.
Ellsbury, who lost his job to Aaron Hicks, has capitalized on Hicks’ second extended absence due to an oblique strain to reclaim regular time. Entering Tuesday, Ellsbury was hitting .417 with a 1.096 OPS in September with five steals in five tries and 11 walks against eight strikeouts.
The hope when the similar skills of Ellsbury and Gardner were united was that they would form a dynamic 1-2 punch atop the order. That never truly manifested, namely because Ellsbury’s penchant for injury and decline led to him severely underperforming for the seven-year, $153 million the Yankees bestowed him.
This year Ellsbury has started in every spot in the order except third and ninth, with Gardner remaining atop the order despite what is now Ellsbury’s superior on-base average. What is interesting is that in a year when the MLB homer record is smashed, the diversification Ellsbury/Gardner provide stands out more. It cuts off bases on defense and adds another way to score on offense — for example, Gardner and Ellsbury had combined to steal 46 bases at an 86 percent slip (MLB average is 73).
I wonder if this helps make Gardner and Ellsbury more attractive in trades this offseason — that there will be so many power bats available that the ability to bring different skills (particularly as leadoff hitters) could heighten their attractiveness. The Yankees, after all, are going to be trying to slide under the $189 million luxury-tax threshold next year — so any dollars subtracted would help — plus they might be looking to get Clint Frazier more regular playing time.
Because Gardner has just $13 million left (including the buyout on his 2019 option), he would be far easier to move. But that he just has one guaranteed year left and leadership skills would make the Yankees want to keep him. Ellsbury is owed three years at $68.5 million. The Yanks would be unable to move all of that unless they took on a contract or ate enough of Ellsbury’s deal.
But this more-motivated version of Ellsbury is a reminder he still possesses dynamic skills. Would the Mariners, for example, respond to their poor center-field numbers by taking on, say, half of what remains on Ellsbury, and would the Oregon native waive his no-trade clause to be assured of being a regular again?
This at least gives the Yanks offseason options — perhaps even keeping Gardner and Ellsbury and using Hicks to chase a more attractive pitcher. For now, though, the duo is doing what the Yankees once had envisioned — helping to energize a playoff-bound lineup.