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Jacoby Ellsbury is the latest piece in rebuilding of Yankees

Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury has reportedly agreed to leave the Boston Red Sox and join the New York Yankees.
(Paul Sancya / Associated Press)
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All-Star outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury will jump from the Boston Red Sox to bitter rival New York Yankees after agreeing to a seven-year deal worth around $153 million Tuesday night, according to multiple media sources.

The move came on the same day that seven-time All-Star catcher Brian McCann finalized an $85-million, five-year contract with the Yankees after spending all nine years of his major league career with the Atlanta Braves.

Anyone who thought the Yankees would take missing the playoffs lightly were sorely mistaken. Same goes for anyone who thought the team was done with its free-spending ways.

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Although the Yankees have said they want to be under the $189-million luxury tax threshold (which includes about $177 million for salaries for the 40-man roster and approximately $12 million for benefits) next season, the latest moves means they have 10 players worth about $138 million in luxury tax payroll.

Seems like it would be pretty tough to complete a championship team with $39 million left for 30 spots. Especially when that team is still in negotiations to keep free agent second baseman, Robinson Cano.

The Yankees are also reported to be in hot pursuit of other free agents, such as shortstop Stephen Drew and outfielders Carlos Beltran and Shin-Soo Choo. And then there’s the pitching situation, which hasn’t been addressed yet.

All of which likely means: hello again, luxury tax!

And if the Yankees can afford it (and when haven’t they been able to?), well then, good for them.

It’s certainly good for guys like Ellsbury and McCann.

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