![Could the Tigers trade for Jacoby Ellsbury? [Image via Pinstripes Report/YouTube]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2018/2/2/660x290/b_502x220x82/could-the-tigers-trade-for-jacoby-ellsbury-image-via-pinstripes-reportyoutube_1810339.jpg "Could the Tigers trade for Jacoby Ellsbury? [Image via Pinstripes Report/YouTube]")
With less than two weeks to go before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report, several key free agents are still looking for a team to play for. Right at the top of that list is pitcher Yu Darvish. With the clock running, could high salary teams like the New York yankees and LA Dodgers miss out on Darvish while another team swoops in and signs the right-hander?
Ellsbury the key?
The Yankees have a lot of outfielders on their roster heading into the 2018 season, and by the looks of things, one of them is the odd man out.
According to MLB Network's Ken Rosenthal, Jacoby Ellsbury looks to be that guy.
After trading for Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees boast one of the strongest outfields in the American League. We know that Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton aren’t going anywhere. It also seems that neither are Aaron Hicks and Brett Gardner, which leaves one to ask what to do with Ellsbury.
His no-trade clause makes him tough to deal, along with that $20 million dollar salary. However, if the Yankees sweetened the pot so to speak, they may be able to trade him - clause or no clause.
If New York wants Darvish in Pinstripes next season, or possibly another pitcher, it appears they have no choice but to work out an Ellsbury trade.
“(The Yankees) would need to trade a big salary, probably (Jacoby) Ellsbury to get this done," Rosenthal says.
"What are the odds of the Yankees or Dodgers doing such a thing? Probably somewhat slim, but that’s why this thing isn’t over just yet.”
With no salary cap in baseball, technically New York, LA or any other team could sign Darvish to a deal. The problem is that both the Yankees and Dodgers want to stay under the $197 million luxury-tax threshold.
Right now the Yankees have only about $15 million left to spend on free agents before hitting the overage mark in salary, while the Dodgers reportedly have a bit more, but neither have enough to sign Darvish without crushing the $200 million mark.
Trade options still in play
Outside of the Darvish rumors, the Yankees also seem to be constantly connected to Detroit's Michael Fulmer and Tampa Bay's Chris Archer.
With both the Rays and Tigers in rebuild mode, and the Yankees having a deep farm system, a deal could be worked out. That is, if the Yankees are willing to give up some of their top prospects.
Last month it was reported that Detroit and New York were close to making a trade that would send Fulmer to the Bronx, however, the deal failed because the Tigers reportedly wanted "too much" in return. Allegedly Detroit wanted top prospect Gleyber Torres from New York as part of the deal.
If the Yankees really want to add a starter and lose out on the Darvish sweepstakes, could a deal with Detroit still be on the table to obtain Fulmer? Detroit has money to work with, so they may be interested in Ellsbury, that is as long as Torres is part of the deal as well.
It is not as farfetched as you may think. especially if New York really wants Michael Fulmer - and Ellsbury waives his no-trade clause, something he may have to do sometime this season.
With Fulmer making under $1 million this season, trading Ellsbury to Detroit could land the Yankees Fulmer and free up money to sign Darvish. Now that would one heck of a deal for the Bombers!
