The Red Sox-Yankees Rivalry is Back
By Chris Ryan
For the past 10 seasons the Yankee-Red Sox rivalry has been more media hype than actuality, but this year it’s different.
The Red Sox won the World Series last year and the Yankees reloaded this offseason much at the expense of their adversaries in Boston.
The Yankees not only swiped Jacoby Ellsbury–arguably the most significant figure in the Red Sox line-up–they outbid Boston for the services of All-Star catcher Brian McCann and aging slugger Carlos Beltran.
The Ellsbury heist was without question the acquisition that hurt the Sox the most.
“I feel like we took the guy that made their offense go,” said Yankees outfielder Alfonso Soriano.
The McCann signing was also very significant. Boston opted to sign AJ Pierzynski to a one-year deal and let the Yankees sign McCann to a five-year deal and wait on several elite catching prospects.
Sox catcher David Ross said that McCann came very close to signing with Boston before finally choosing the Yankees. McCann wouldn’t deny that when asked, but said he’s moved on.
“It’s in the past,” said McCann. “It’s not something that I’m even worried about right now. I’m glad to be part of this organization. I’m right where I want to be.”
