In Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Hicks, the Yankees already have a high-end starting outfield under control for 2019. But they’ll have more decisions to make in that area this offseason, specifically with veterans Andrew McCutchen and Brett Gardner. The club would “like to” retain McCutchen, a pending free agent, if his asking price is “reasonable,” Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes. Meanwhile, the Yankees are “likely” to decline Gardner’s $12.5MM club option in favor of a $2MM buyout, according to Cafardo.
Having been acquired from the Giants on Aug. 31, McCutchen is just over three weeks into his tenure in the Bronx. The sample size is clearly limited, then, though the well-respected 31-year-old has delivered during his short Yankees career. Across 80 plate appearances with the Bombers, McCutchen has slashed .253/.425/.492 with four home runs and more walks (17) than strikeouts (15). Between San Francisco and New York, the right-handed McCutchen has batted .253/.366/.423 with 19 HRs in 648 trips to the plate, giving him a quality wRC+ of 119. The longtime Pirate has been an above-average offensive contributor every year of his career, which began in 2009, by wRC+.
Defensively, while McCutchen took significant steps backward as a center fielder from 2016-17, he has drawn somewhat better reviews in the corner this year. McCutchen has seen most of his action as a right fielder in 2018 and accounted for two Defensive Runs Saved and a minus-0.1 Ultimate Zone Rating in 1,271 2/3 innings, though Statcast’s Outs Above Average (minus-10) ranks him among the game’s worst fielders in the grass. Still, thanks in large part to his offensive prowess, McCutchen has totaled 2.5 fWAR and 2.7 rWAR, no doubt making him a useful player even if he’s not the MVP-level performer he was in his halcyon days.
Gardner, meanwhile, has been similarly valuable by wins above replacement, as he has accrued 2.3 fWAR and 2.8 rWAR in 583 PAs. However, the 35-year-old’s amid a difficult second half in which he has posted a meager .209/.290/.304 line (63 wRC+), and it has been a tough season in general versus southpaws for the left-handed Gardner – who has only managed a .641 OPS against them. All told, Gardner has batted a below-average .237/.325/.368 (90 wRC+) with 12 homers this season, though the speedster has still succeeded on 15 of 17 stolen base attempts and held his own in the outfield, where he has picked up 13 DRS, a 6.5 UZR and minus-one OAA. Despite his plus defense, Gardner’s offensive woes have relegated him to a bench role of late, as he has been in New York’s starting lineup just once this week.
Because of his track record as a well-rounded player and an esteemed clubhouse presence, the Yankees may be able to move Gardner via trade in the offseason if they’re against retaining him for another year. He does have 10-and-5 rights, however, and would be able to veto any potential move. If New York does cut ties with Gardner, though, it would mean saying goodbye to its longest-tenured player. A third-round pick of the Yankees in 2005, Gardner debuted in pinstripes in 2008 and has since accumulated 32.6 fWAR and 37.6 rWAR in 5,419 PAs, making him one of the most accomplished outfielders in the franchise’s storied history.
With the offseason over a month from beginning in earnest, the Yankees’ Brian Cashman-led brain trust still has a fair amount of time to decide on the futures of McCutchen and Gardner. And with the Yankees set to earn a wild-card berth this year, both McCutchen or Gardner could have more time to influence New York’s winter plans, depending on how they perform and how far the team advances in the playoffs. But with Judge, Stanton, Hicks and 2018 injury cases Clint Frazier and Jacoby Ellsbury among the Yankees’ outfield group for next season, it’ll be a surprise if they keep both McCutchen and Gardner.
Both are most likely gone. I suspect the Yankees will try to sign Bryce Harper and some pitching.
Oh man, please no Harper. So not needed. Just like Stanton wasn’t.
You’re right about Stanton, and it’s mucked up the payroll for years.
Maybe after the Dodgers resolve their luxury tax situation and hit (or miss) this FA class, give (contract/extend/opt-in) Kershaw, they trade for Stanton, allows Yanks sign Harper.
It’s unsubstantiated speculation on my part, so go easy on me folks. Stanton is 28.
There’s absolutely know reason to claim it’s “mucked up” the payroll for years. Yanks set a payroll limit for this year but have never been shy of spending big. They knew exactly what they were doing so I’m sure they’ve looked at the payroll in terms of multiple years down the road and not just next season.
Agree. Luxury tax threshold increases next year and other than stanton they don’t have any long term deals on the books. Gardner is probably gone, McCanns money to Houston comes off the books and I’m sure a bunch of others I’m not remembering at the moment. They have a young team that will be in arbitration for a while which means no big contracts for a few years.
Exactly like Ellsberry’s contract. What a waste of money has his contract been over the past few years. Another huge contract could bind up the Yankees for years to come. Trading is the route to go to supplement the team. Especially for some young proven starting pitching.
But if Harper is going to command 400-500 Stanton is a bargain
Perks,
Bingo!!
Said Perfectly
I’ve never liked Harper’s attitude
Dont like attitude of fans who are 33.33% fans
Seriously…wtf is your problem with me?
I never have liked Harper’s attitude either
Inspite of Harper’s all star quality, I just don’t see him as a fit for the Yankees young clubhouse. Not that he’s older, because he isn’t. However, his attitude around other players and his temperament could be more of a distraction than an improvement on an already talented lineup.
Agreed, I think both will be gone to complete the rebuild. The Yanks need to sign 2 starters like Corbin and Happ. and a top end relief pitcher like Miller or Allen.
I hope Cutch goes back to the pirates. The fans were really devastated when he left and his price shouldn’t be crazy high.
That’s definitely not gonna happen.
Yea because you definitely know what the Pirates are going to do. Because the free agent class isn’t the deepest it’s ever been in years and quality players like McCutchen won’t be discounted. Yep.
Name the last FA the Pirates signed that was of any significance.
Yanks want to retain him!!
Usually they get want they want!
The Pirates already have their starting outfield for next year. Dickerson, Marte, Polanco. No need for a declining McCutchen with their limited payroll.
You’re snapping at him but he’s right. Why would the Pirates bring him back next year? They have 3 young cheap options that might not have the OBP of Cutch but have had decent seasons which you hope they can improve upon.
Baseball1600, if you believe the Pirates are going to sign McCutchen you should probably point that wand of condescension in the mirror.
The problem is that Cutch didn’t leave. The joke ownership traded him because they didn’t want to pay him any more. If I were Cutch I’d never go back to Pittsburgh, despite the fans loving him there. The ownership is barely a step above Baltimore’s. Who would ever want to work for “cut all costs” Nutting?
He’ll “go back to Pittsburgh” every offseason, since that’s where his family lives now.
The Pirates front office/ownership were not stupid for trading Cutch. He I was not worth extending for big money. He is not worth a long term deal in free agency now. I am very happy with the,return that they got for Cutch. A quality back end of the bullpen guy in Crick and what looks,like a pretty good OF in Reynolds. Loved watching Cutch play for all those years but looking objectively about what the Pirates did, I think they did a pretty good job.
M’s could use him. They need a good outfielder with some pop so badly
If Frazier can prove he’s healthy this winter than indeed use him in a trade. Gardner’s salary can be use toward signing a pitcher. I’m not gonna go with anything that Cafardo writes about the Yankees.
On a scale of Sherman to-10, how much should I trust the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo? I’m not familiar with his work, as I do not have a Boston Globe subscription.
Cafardo talking Yankees what a joke!
“than”?
“can be use towards”?
I’m not gonna go with anything that Cereal writes about the Yankees.
Basic English matters.
“Basic English matters” This is a site where 99% of posters care about baseball input, and not a person like yourself pointing out grammatical or spelling errors. How about you jump over to the team you follow, and leave these threads to Yankees fans.
Mommy’s sure gonna be proud of her little soldier!
Cut bait with both. Both players are on the decline. I’d like to see Frazier get regular playing time in LF and see what he has to offer. But who knows if they can withstand the temptation to go all in for Harper
I hope not…Once again no pitching again.
I couldn’t even imagine the whining from yank fans when Harper goes into one of his many prolonged slumps every yr. They get all over Stanton now when he slumps. Harper’s even more streaky then Stanton.
I am 100000pct hoping Yanks are smart enough to realize just how bad a contract Harper’s is gonna be, and pass..
100 percent is sufficient.
The Pirate owner’s last name describes his response when told they lowered payroll.
I’d like to see the Yankees trade Stanton to the Dodgers and sign Machado.
An outfield mix of Judge, Hicks, Frazier, McCutchen is nice with Andujar as 3B/1B/OF/DH roving bat.
Gardner is another overrated has been because he played in New York. Average at best but because he played in NY “ one of the great ones”. Ummmm no he wasn’t.
Not a single Yankee fan has ever claimed he’s the magnigicent all-star player. Not sure where that’s coming from. But here’s a fact. Since 2008 he’s ranked 4th overall among CF in WAR behind Trout, Cutch and Granderson. He’s had several seasons of 3 WAR or better, was a +plus defense for the most part for not a lot of money,
That being said, I would decline his option and offer him a 2 year $10 mil deal plus the $2 mi buyout.. He’s good for the clubhouse and would make a great 4th OF.
Bubba is silent. Even when he speaks he comes up empty
If I recall, he’s been quite healthy during that stretch also.
Hi Bubba,
2017, he was 20-20 player, best LF Defender in MLB. Father time may have caught up with him 2018, much like his second halves, but know what you are talking about. Below Gardy’s 2017 year:
Elite Defense— +20 DRS, +6.8 UZR in OF.
Among all LF: #1 DRS (+17), and #2 UZR (+7.1)
(Career: +120 DRS, +83.4 UZR in OF)
If anything, he is underrated. (By the way, nobody is calling him a superstar.)
2018 update:
Elite Defense— +13 DRS, +6.8 UZR in OF.
Among all LF: #3 DRS (+11), #5 UZR (+5.9)
He has 100+ less innings than top-2 DRS
(Career: +133 DRS, +92.1 UZR in OF)
Gardner has been a tremendous player for the Yanks. I don’t know what you been watching?
It’s not just the main stats that make Gardner so good either. Things like always being top 5 in pitches seen per AB, and he’s always at the top of the list in scoring pct/time on base..etc Add in he’s always been a tremendous defender and base stealer , and matured into some power , and it is easy to see why Gardy is and always will be remembered as a helluva player for the Yanks. He’s just starting to whind down is all. It happens.
Using “Bubba” says it all doesn’t it!
In need of some good hot stove rumors.
Gonna be in upper 20s tonight and I’m cold!
I’d like to see the Yankees stay with the youth movement. They have a set of four OFs with Stanton, Judge, Frazier and Hicks. The SPs need addressing.
Harper is 25. How does that not contribute to their youth movement. Frazier cant even stay on the field. 2019 is Hicks’ last year before FA. Harper is younger than Hicks, better at all things baseball, except Defense. Both players’ have their birthdays’ in upcoming weeks. Hicks turns 29 next month, and Harper 26.
Harper’s a old 25. Constantly been dinged up over the yrs. He’s not worth what he’s gonna command either. That guys not gonna age well. And alot of people think that way. It seems it’s 50-50 split on people who think signing Harper is a great idea or a horrible one. Now that alone would scare me. I’m not giving some guy who isn’t even hitting 250ba at 25yrs old a 400mill dollar contract when a good portion of people think it’s a bad idea. Better be consensus great idea by everyone for me to give someone that kinda cheese..lol
The people don’t make the decisions.
Ha! You quoted batting average, lol.
Hicks is a CF and a pretty good one. Harper is primarily a RF and by the metrics most use, not a very good one. Frazier might be passable at CF but I don’t think he’s a better glove than Hicks and he has a ton to prove. Yanks best option at CF in the near future is to extend Hicks and keep as the starting CF and watch the development of Estevan Florial who’s in high A and see if he warrants being his replacement at some point, or move one to LF.
We have Judge in RF and I doubt he’s going to be moved as long as he’s healthy. He’s also a better glove in RF than Harper.
So unless a) Yanks trade Stanton to LA (highly unlikely) thus opening up a spot for Harper (Sanchez more likely) to DH b). Harper is willing to move to LF c) Harper is willing to move to 1b. then I don’t see a possibility of a Harper/Yanks hook up.
Hicks played all 3 positions for NYY in ‘16 and ‘17, but all of his games in CF this year. That pretty much lets you know who they think should be there in ‘19…
Despite not caring much for the Yankees I’ve always really enjoyed watching Gardner. I hope he retires as one. It would be really odd seeing him in another team’s colours.
Probably as odd as seeing Kevin Youkilis in a Yankee uniform..
The problem with both Cutch and Gardner is that they will cost more than the Yankees will get in return value. That return value is not only the cost of those players, but what their salaries may prevent the Yankees from spending to plug the other holes in their roster.
If the Yankees sign a FA outfielder I think their first choice would be Harper. If not, they roll the dice with Frazier or make a trade for a decent #3 or #4 outfielder type. They don’t need a superstar in LF, just a dependable player and one at a decent price so they can land Corbin, a 1B if they think Bird/Voit are not the answer, and decide if Andujar is their 3B, their DH, or trade bait.
Use Gardner and a prospect to get a catcher. Sanchez is terrible and I think he’s done. He’s hitting below .200 and is terrible behind the plate. Keep Voit for sure. He’s a player and loves the game and for sure can handle NY
I think the low batting average is an aberration. He does need work on his blocking but he’s good in many other facets of catching including his affect on opponents running game. Sanchez had the highest WAR of any catcher last year and turns 26 in December. You don’t cut bait on a catcher of his ability.
If you’re quoting batting average you should be on another site.
When that average goes along with a sub .700 OPS, I think it’s safe for him to quote it.
When a BA is that low it is almost impossible to have a respectable OBP or Slugging, so while BA might be a dated stat that doesn’t paint the entire picture, it does still show enough to suggest that Sanchez is awful this year.
Im hoping for a healthy Clint Frazier personally. You give Clint Frazier a full yrs ABs, and I’d be willing to bet his nums stack up pretty darn close to whatever you’d get outta Gardy or Cutch at this point , with upside to be even better. His batspeed is just tremendous.If Frazier is healthy, he’s the way to go. All Star potential.
I like Frazier, but will he get regular playing time with S, H, and J in the OF ? I guess so if they rotate the DH ?
Good Riddance Gardner
Nice job capitalizing “riddance”. Completely necessary.
LOSER TROLL!!!
Harper in LF or 1B.
Machado at 3B.
Andujar either becomes a 1st Baseman or is used to acquire a pitcher.
There are your offseason moves.
So if Stanton doesn’t opt out and Harper and Machado get their “projected” salaries you are looking at about $1 billion for three players. Yep, that will work in the long run. /s
Agreed. I doubt the Yankees sign anyone this offseason for longer than a 5 year contract which puts them out on Harper and Machado.
Gardner is a better player than his stats. The question is where next ? I think the NL which is less a power league than the AL may be a better fit. A reasonable contract and a good signing for the Mets. 5 million seems about right.
Let’s remember the Yanks are under the cap this winter and will have over 100 million to spend, I see them making a run at either Harper or Machado.
I just don’t understand why the Yanks don’t attempt to pull off a trade with the Mets for pitching. It would benefit both NY teams. They need pitching badly. It be nice to have a team that can mash the ball constantly but not much fun watching games with scores like 12-9.
NYM won’t trade deGrom or Syndergaard to NYY unless they give up their top 3 or 4 prospects.
Andrew McCutchen Would Be A Great Replacement In Left Field For Brett Gardner In 2019,Because He Draws More Walks.
I want Harper. A 3-4-5 of Judge, Harper, Stanton in the middle of the lineup! YIKES. DiDi to the lead off and Gleybar to the 2 Hole. Andujar and Sanchez behind them. Man, 1-7 can take u deep any pitch. Not to mention Hicks and whoever they get to play first next year
Oh, wow. I mean if you ever really want news on what the Yankees are thinking there’s no better source than Nick Cafardo, right?
*Frrrrrnnnnnnt*
(Pardon me)