When the Yankees decided to back up the Brinks truck for Jacoby Ellsbury, the plan was for him and Brett Gardner to set the table at the top of the lineup, wreak havoc on the base-paths, and consistently score runs as the middle-of-the-order hitters drove them in.
That was the plan, until it didn’t work.
Gardner battled nagging injuries, and Ellsbury consistently underperformed while battling injuries of his own. The dynamic duo at the top of the lineup never really materialized the way the Yankees brass had hoped.
Over the last few seasons the conversation surrounding the now longest tenured Yankee, Brett Gardner, was how exactly could he be moved in order to bring about the best return. The conversation surrounding Ellsbury was which prospect would oust him first.
Coming off of his Gold Glove campaign a season ago, all Garnder has done in 2017 is hit 20 home runs while also stealing 20 bases, and is now approaching the 100 runs scored mark. A mark he and Ellsbury were both challenged to eclipse by manager Joe Girardi prior to the 2017 season.
Ellsbury, after getting off to a very similar start, lost playing time to both Aaron Hicks and Clint Frazier. However, after both sustained injuries, it’s Ellsbury who has emerged as one of the Yankees hottest hitters, helping carry them down the stretch into October.
The duo that was supposed to torture opposing pitchers and catchers on the base-paths finally broke through last night against the Twins, as each stole multiple bases in the same game for the first time as Yankees. Gardner and Ellsbury each reached base three times, setting the table for the middle-of-the-order bats to drive them in.
Heading into October, it appears the Yankees are finally getting the contribution they sought from Ellsbury, and at possibly the most important time.
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