I don't know about that.
Sometimes guys just have a fluky once-in-a-lifetime season (also known as pulling a Brady Anderson).
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The power is all 2011. Ellsbury never hit double digit HRs or more than 30 doubles outside of that season. Pagan's a career .281 hitter. His last four seasons have been .306, .290, .262 and .288 (in pitchers parks). That's a hit tool. Even with Ellsbury's 2011 season, he and Pagan have a dead even career 106 OPS+.
I'd be thrilled if the Reds traded for Ellsbury and something approximating his 2011 self showed up, but it would be foolish to trade for him like that's a sure thing. This guy is as impossible to predict as any player in baseball. He has thrilled and horrified the Sox over the years. It's probably safest to peg him at his averages. So if the Angel Paganish version of Ellsbury doesn't appeal to you, then don't trade for him.
If you watch him play, his 2011 numbers don't seem all that crazy. Like I said, he possesses a solid hit tool. He can hit for a high average, and that doesn't go away when healthy.
Plus most of those one year guys, like Brady Anderson, had some help, if you know what I mean.
I live in Boston. I've watched him play his whole career. The power he showed in 2011 never existed in his game prior to that season and completely disappeared last season. FWIW, there's a fair amount of speculation that Ellsbury's 2011 might have come from a bottle.
Fair enough. I'm not assuming his power will come back to 2011 levels. I just think he knows how to hit, and that will continue if healthy.
I don't live in Boston, but have Bostonites in my family, so I have been forced to watch them since 1998, lol. I feel I know them better than any other team besides the Reds, though not by choice.
Maybe this is what he means?
http://www.expresschemist.co.uk/pics...t-medium-b.jpg
Although I have little confidence in Ben Cherington's ability build a competitive team in Boston, I can't see him trading Ellsbury for anything less than an impact starting pitcher...and they won't get one for an injury prone Boras client who will definitely test the market. They definitely don't want nor need Stubbs.
I predict Ellsbury plays in Boston in 2013...at least until the trade deadline.
I had read that in 2011 he had become a fastball hitter for the first time as an account for the home run totals, but why at that point gain the ability overnight?
Obviously no one knows if these rumors will come true but I can say I won't be mad if this lineup is put on the field a lot in 2013.
1. Ellsbury
2. Phillips
3. Votto
4. Ludwick
5. Bruce
6. Frazier
7. Cozart
8. Hanigan/Mez