The Chicago Cubs have reportedly considered adding former Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, per MLB Network's Jon Heyman.
Ellsbury, 36, was released by the Yankees on Nov. 20 after injuries forced him to miss both the 2018 and 2019 seasons. He signed a seven-year, $153 million contract with the Yankees in 2014, batting .264 with 39 home runs and 198 RBI in 520 games from 2014-17.
He was under contract through the end of the 2021 season, and was set to make $21 million in 2020. The MLB Player's Association filed a grievance against the Yankees to recoup the remaining $26 million on Ellsbury's contract, including the $5 million buyout added to it.
Heyman noted that Ellsbury is "probably a long shot but Cubs have a leadoff issue," so he could fit their needs.
Former catcher David Ross is now the manager of the Cubs, and Heyman mentioned that Ross' connection with Ellsbury back to their playing days with the Boston Red Sox could be a factor in the team's decision.
Ellsbury batted leadoff for the Red Sox during their World Series run in 2013, and Ross remembers how Ellsbury "set the tone at the top of the order" for the Red Sox that season.
Ellsbury played in Boston from 2007-13, batting .297 with 314 RBI and 476 runs scored in 715 games, while Ross played just two seasons with the Red Sox from 2013-14.
Injuries behind him, Ellsbury is still determined to play in 2020 and make is return to the big leagues.