TAMPA — Joe Maddon believes pairing Jacoby Ellsbury with Brett Gardner in the outfield could provide a dynamic similar to the one that helped the Red Sox become World Series champs last year.
Yet, to the Rays’ manager the Yankees’ biggest move was signing catcher Brian McCann to a five-year deal worth $85 million — more than the Rays’ projected $80 million payroll this season when they are the favorites to win the AL East.
“McCann, it starts right there for me. To be able to get McCann behind the plate, what he brings … not just the hitting, the potential home runs to right field, but what he does toughness-wise and what he does in regards to preparation,’’ Maddon said before Sunday’s 3-3 tie at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “And when the pitchers fall in love with that kind of stuff they pitch better. To me, that’s probably the most important acquisition.’’
Of course, it wasn’t the only one. Masahiro Tanaka signed a seven-year, $155 million deal that had an additional $20 million going to his former club in Japan. Ellsbury took seven years and $153 million. Carlos Beltran signed for $45 million across three years.
Maddon, whose club faces the Yankees 19 times this coming season, is leery of having to deal with Ellsbury and Gardner in the same lineup and playing side-by side in the outfield.
“Ellsbury is great. Ellsbury and Gardner together could be a lot like Ellsbury and [Shane] Victorino were last year in Boston,’’ Maddon said. “That part worries me a little bit because if that starts rolling, that’s hard to stop.”
Clearly, Maddon is impressed with the Yankees’ moves.
“Beltran, again, I know he’s a little bit older, but this guy seems to keep getting better with age. He’s really good,’’ Maddon said of the switch-hitting outfielder who will be 37 late next month. “He’s really good in the latter part of the season. That’s the kind of guy you want.”
Maddon hasn’t seen a lot of Derek Jeter play, but the Rays manager isn’t going to ignore the shortstop who turns 40 in June and is coming back from lower left leg problems that limited him to 17 games last season.
“I run into Derek a lot. We share the same common Starbucks in Tampa, which is kind of cool. But, he’s been looking good, even just watching him walk around. Looks like he’s in great shape,’’ Maddon said. “I know he’s very motivated. At any age you can never count this guy out. So, if he stays healthy, he’s going to perform very well this year.”
Jeter is moving around in the field and on the bases better than any time last spring. With Kelly Johnson attempting to get comfortable at third and Brian Roberts trying to avoid injury at second, Jeter isn’t the Yankees’ largest infield worry.
Adding Ellsbury delivered speed. Beltran brought muscle. Tanaka’s early results have been good.
Still, Maddon believes McCann is the man.
“I think it all revolves around McCann. I think the McCann signing was pretty significant,’’ Maddon said.
So far, McCann has been praised as much for his catching intelligence and communication with the pitchers as has for his bat (he went 1-for-2 Sunday and is hitting .353 in eight games).
The Yankees believed they signed the whole package. Maddon thinks they were right. For the Yankees’ sake, Maddon better be right. Though the consequences for the Yankees are far greater than Maddon if each is wrong.