After McCann... Ellsbury, anyone?

Yesterday, the Starship Yankee Twilight set a direct course for the year 2019 - a risky move, because - as we all know - life on earth might not last that long. And if it does, Dellin Betances will be really tired from carrying civilization on his shoulders.

But let's assume that humanity is still banging. I believe 2019 is the year when America will finally ban round shoelaces, and when the Yankees will be one of MLB's best teams. That does not mean we'll win a ring. But we'll be close. In 2019, our young players should be in their prime. By then, we should have added major talent - maybe Manny Machado or Bryce Harper - to the grow-your-own lineup. Our time is coming.

Folks, this is what hope is - the crazy belief that a bright light down the tunnels is not an oncoming train, and that if we knit to our sticking, life will get better.

Yesterday, we traded Brian McCann for a bucket of fried chicken. Still, I'm licking my fingers. McCann - a fine Yankee - was never going to play a role in our 2019 world championship.

Here are seven reasons to like the deal.

1. We escape McCann as an everyday DH. The Yankees need more than a .235 hitter with 20 HRs. Younger players - Judge, Austin, even Hicks - can give us that kind of production. And they need the at-bats.

2. We have two backup catchers in Austin Romine and Kyle Higashioka, a sleeper who emerged last year in Trenton and Scranton. Had McCann stayed, Romine would have gone, probably for nothing.  

3. The two young pitchers we obtained. Too young to assess. For every four or five kids, one makes it. The Yankees just added two lottery tickets. Hey, you never know.

4. By trading McCann, we can protect one more prospect in next month's Rule 5 draft. Because our system is brimming, we will get picked over. Now... one less. (Neither of the new guys needs to be protected.)

5. We save $23 million over the next two years. Don't get me wrong: I never buy it when Hal rattles the cup. Still, it's part of an offer for Aroldys Chapman. (Or maybe Hal can finally shrink payroll below the luxury tax cap, and we can rid of his fraudulent poor-mouthing once and for all.) 

6. Our chances for 2017 really haven't diminished. Everything depends on the kids. If Sanchez, Judge, Severino, et al, fail - we're screwed. McCann wasn't going to save the day.

7. McCann was a great presence, but Sanchez is our man. You can't spend $17 million per year on a backup catcher.

Now, imagine this: We have Jacoby Ellsbury for four more years at $21 million per. (Plus a team option for a fifth year and a $5 million buyout.) If we were to pay, say, $10 million a year, and accept low-level prospects, we could save $50 million... and actually open CF for Clint Frazier, Mason Williams, Aaron Judge - somebody. Ellsbury is 33 and notoriously brittle.

So here is my question: In 2019, when he is 36 and paunchy, will Ellsbury have a role with this championship team?

Hell, no. Whatever we can get for him, we should take.