What if . . . Ellsbury is the real deal?

What if ……..?

So what if Jacoby Ellsbury is the real deal? What if this hot start is more lasting than lucky? And what if Jacoby is still raking at the end of the month? If the answer to that question is yes, than it begs an additional question: What is Jacoby’s role in the post-season?

Well, here is one thought, albeit one that has almost no chance of making it onto a lineup card. This is the plan against right-handers – stick Ellsbury is left, pencil Manny into the DH slot, and tell Ortiz to grab a glove and Youkilis to grab some pine. Sure, you are giving up some D at first, but you are gaining a big defensive upgrade in left. Moreover, you are completely changing the face of the lineup – adding some legs and removing a plodder who has suddenly morphed into a whiff machine. That speed might come in handy against a tough right-hander like Carmona who would surely have his way with the Greek God of Whiffs. Moreover, Youk’s patience might be wasted against a guy like Paul Byrd who never walks anyone. One big downside to the move – if you want a defensive upgrade at first late in the game you would lose Ortiz. But given Papi’s late inning numbers this year, this might not be such a big deal.

And if you prefer to keep it simple, you could always just sit JD Drew and let Ellsbury play right. The downside is opposing players will be flying around second and taking third throughout the playoffs. The upside: JD Drew's dead bat would be silenced (hasn't it been silent all year, you ask?) and you might get some sizzle at the head of the lineup.

Something to chew on . . . .