Jacoby Ellsbury had an injury-shortened season for the Boston Red Sox after he collided with the freight train otherwise known as third basemen Adrian Beltre and fractured four ribs on April 11. He appeared in only 18 games, hitting .192 and stealing seven bases after leading the AL with 70 steals in 2009.
Ellsbury also came under fire from his coaches and teammates for rehabbing his injury in Arizona instead of traveling with the team. With rookie Ryan Kalish seemingly ready for the big show, could Ellsbury now be expendable?
He’s still an electric player. He twice led the AL in stolen bases and, though his .344 career on-base percentage is not particularly good for a lead-off hitter, he did still manage to score 98 runs in 2008 and 94 runs in 2009. He’s also an exceptionally good fielder and isn’t due to become a free agent until 2014.
The Red Sox could use Ellsbury as a major trade chip to fill up other holes on the roster. Here are 10 trades that would help make Boston into a World Series contender in 2011.