Yankees claim Jacoby Ellsbury went behind their backs as money fight escalates

The Yankees are expected to officially file paperwork on Friday, once Jacoby Ellsbury clears release waivers, with the intent of converting Ellsbury’s contract from guaranteed to non-guaranteed, multiple industry sources told The Post. The basis of the endeavor is the Yankees’ contention that Ellsbury, who missed the entire 2017 and 2018 seasons due to multiple injuries, received medical treatment without the Yankees’ authorization for multiple years.

Such an effort, if successful, would absolve the Yankees of paying Ellsbury the $26 million they still owe him. It’s also possible that the Yankees could attempt to recoup some of the $127 million they already have paid him, as they aren’t sure when Ellsbury began receiving treatment at Progressive Medical Center in Atlanta without their knowledge.

Ellsbury, represented by Scott Boras, can file a grievance to challenge this initiative. If the grievance cannot be settled between the two sides, then it goes to an independent arbitrator for resolution.

The case brings to mind Carlos Beltran’s dispute with the Mets in 2010, when Beltran underwent surgery on his right knee. The Mets contended that Beltran, a Boras client at that time, did so without the team’s consent. Ultimately, the team backed down on its threats to litigate.

Boras is currently shopping stud free agents like pitchers Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg that could help the Yankees next season. While both the Yankees and Boras are experienced enough to multi-task, the Ellsbury situation certainly throws a compelling ingredient into the dynamics.

Source: Read Full Article