Yankees sign Ellsbury to 7-year, $153M deal

Oct. 17, 2013: Boston Red Sox's Jacoby Ellsbury dives for a ball hit by Detroit Tigers' Omar Infante during Game 5 of the American League baseball championship series in Detroit. A person familiar with the negotiations says the New York Yankees were working toward an agreement with outfielder Ellsbury on a seven-year contract worth about $153 million. (AP/Paul Sancya, File)

FILE - In this Aug. 25, 2013, file photo, New York Yankees' Robinson Cano looks to the stands while batting during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla. Representatives for the free-agent met Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, with the Yankees, and the gap between the sides remains wide, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized. The person adds the sides may meet again Wednesday. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

Free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, fresh off winning the World Series with Boston, reached agreement with the rival New York Yankees on a seven-year contract worth about $153 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday night.

Ellsbury is the second major free-agent addition in the Yankees' offseason rebuilding after missing the playoffs for just the second time in 19 years. The center fielder was to take a physical in New York on Wednesday that he must pass before the deal can be finalized, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized.

The Yankees also had been negotiating with outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, who like Ellsbury is represented by agent Scott Boras.

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Earlier Tuesday, New York finalized an $85 million, five-year contract with All-Star catcher Brian McCann.

There is a long history of stars moving from Beantown to the Big Apple during their careers. Babe Ruth was the most famous, and Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs and Johnny Damon followed.

Ellsbury, who turned 30 in September, led the majors with 52 stolen bases despite being hobbled late in the season by a broken right foot. The lefty-hitting leadoff man batted .298 with nine homers and 53 RBIs, and the short right-field porch at Yankee Stadium should boost his power numbers.

Ellsbury's deal includes a $21 million option for the 2021 season, with a $5 million buyout. If the option is exercised, the deal would be worth $169 million over eight years.

His agreement may not be finalized this week, and it's possible he could be introduced by the Yankees during a news conference at the winter meetings next week in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.