The Cleveland Indians are wheeling and dealing in ways that the Red Sox should emulate.
The Cleveland Indians were able to deal talented outfielder Shin Soo Choo who is scheduled to be a free agent following the 2013 season.
The Jacoby Ellsbury saga has been discussed frequently.
Should the Red Sox trade the talented, but injury prone former top prospect? He's a free agent at the end of 2013.
Ellsbury is represented by agent Scott Boras, which makes any hope of a contract extension fairly unlikely.
The Cleveland Indians entered the offseason with a player in a similar situation,
Shin-Soo Choo is a five tool outfielder with a history of nagging injuries. Just like Ellsbury he is represented by Boras, just like Ellsbury he will be a free agent following the 2013 season.
Unlike Ellsbury, Choo is now on a new team.
On Dec. 12, the Cleveland Indians traded Choo to the Cincinnati Reds in a three-team deal.
Dealing Choo for a package centered around Trevor Bauer, a prized 21-year old pitcher who was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2011 draft, likely makes the Indians weaker heading into the 2013 season. It sure makes them better after that, though.
Cleveland and Boston will enter the 2013 season with varied expectations. The Indians are in a rebuilding mode, the Red Sox are trying to bounce back from their worst season since the 1960's.
Indians fans are not expecting Cleveland to win 90 games in 2013. Red Sox fans might not expect 90 wins, but the fan base expects to see considerable improvement over the 93-loss 2012 campaign.
The point is that the Red Sox should only be retaining Ellsbury if they feel confident of one of two results.
The Red Sox sign Ellsbury to a long-term contract after the 2013 season, or the Red Sox are good enough to compete for a World Series ring in 2013.
If neither one of those results appear likely, general manager Ben Cherington and company might as well try to find a deal somewhat similar to the one the Indians pulled off a few weeks ago.
Perhaps the trade market for Ellsbury is not that strong? Perhaps the offers have been terrible and the Red Sox are waiting? Perhaps a deal is in the works and the details have been effectively kept under wraps?
Regardless, it is hard to avoid looking at the Cleveland Indians and not being a bit envious of the team's ability to trade Choo with only one year remaining on his contract. Add in that the team grabbed a potential top-of-the-rotation pitcher and the trade looks like a "win" for the Indians.
They might have to get creative to trade Ellsbury, but the Red Sox have a fairly deep minor league system and some players on the 40-man roster that are expendable.
Boston should try and figure out a way to get value for Ellsbury while the window is still open.