TORONTO — When Scott Boras was shopping free agent Jacoby Ellsbury following the 2013 season the agent’s pitch to Hal Steinbrenner included how speed at the top of the order helped the Yankees win World Series titles in 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Boras emphasized the combination of Chuck Knoblauch leading off and Derek Jeter batting second as the key to a lineup that was deep if not loaded with future Hall of Famers. He also believed that eventually having Brett Gardner and Ellsbury on top of the lineup would be a good way to start games.
And when Robinson Cano, the Yankees’ best hitter, left The Bronx for Seattle and 10 years and $240 million, the Yankees turned to Ellsbury, who had helped lead the Red Sox to the 2013 World Series title with his legs and bat.