FEB. 11: Gardner’s “definitely” planning to play in 2021, Jon Morosi of MLB.com tweets.
FEB. 10: A report last month indicated the Yankees and free-agent outfielder Brett Gardner had resumed discussions on a contract, but that may not be the case after all. Rather, according to Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media, the Yankees and Gardner have not even begun talks this offseason. New York has not “addressed Gardner’s status since last Halloween,” Miller writes.
The 37-year-old Gardner is a career-long Yankee who began in 2008 and who remained productive last season, but the team declined his $10MM option for a $2.5MM buyout at the end of October. The move did not come as a surprise when considering Gardner’s age and the crowded outfield picture in New York, which boasts Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks and Clint Frazier as starters and Mike Tauchman as a backup. The Yankees added further outfield depth when they acquired Greg Allen in an early January trade with the Padres. Allen’s production pales in comparison to Gardner’s, but for at least the time being, Allen is on the Yankees’ 40-man roster.
Gardner is coming off a year in which he registered a a career-worst .223 batting average, but he still finished with a solid 110 wRC+ (his career mark is 104) in 158 plate appearances on the strength of a .354 on-base percentage and a .392 slugging percentage. He drew walks at a personal-high 16.5 percent rate, hit five home runs, stole three bases and added double-digit appearances in left and center, where he combined for one Defensive Run Saved and a 1.1 Ultimate Zone Rating.
While it appears the respected Gardner still has more to offer, whether as a Yankee or with another team, it’s unknown whether he’d want to continue his career anywhere but the Bronx. Gardner ranks third all-time among Yankees in steals (270), 16th in games played (1,548), 17th in position player bWAR (43.0), 19th in runs scored (896) and 27th in hits (1,384), to name just some key categories.
Has Gardener almost prematurely retired?
I think he ends up in Philly
Agreed, Girardi will want him!
I’m thinking that too. Would address the CF need and reunite him with his buddy Joe
He’s already made $2.5 Million for 2021. The Phillies should offer him like $3-$4 Million to see if he’ll take it. Maybe some incentives to sweeten it if he plays well. I think that would be great. I have no faith in Haseley or Quinn. I guess Kingery might spend time out there now with Didi back, but he’s also a roll of the dice. Better to let him be super utility to gives guys a day off. I’d be all for Gardner in center on a cheap deal.
Phillies are up against the lux tax, and still need pitching. I don’t see it, but stranger things have happened.
Girardi actually discovered Gardner as something more than a designated base stealer. You’d think that Gardner would have a warm spot for Joe. However, it seems to me that Gardner wasn’t sad to see Girardi replaced if memory serves me. It would be interesting to see if they patch things up and he goes to the Phillies..
He’s 37 and his best days are well behind him so not sure premature is the right word.
You could do lots worse that Gardner as your 4th outfielder and emergency fill in at both Center and Left, plus while he may not be a base stealer any longer, you would want nobody else on second with 2 outs and needing a run on a base hit…..typical Yankee hating comments
I’d say Billy Hamilton running is better.
You can’t steal first.
Ha fast but doesn’t read pitchers well and not good base stealer
Not a Yankee fan but I agree. He is a gamer and a good clubhouse guy.
No. With a 110 wRC+ and a still decent glove. He can be useful to many teams as a spare OFer and experienced vet.
Come to the Cardinals. You will be welcomed.
Just what the Cardinals need ……. Yet another outfielder who can’t hit.
Except he hit for above average last year so…
It’s obvious that Very Barry is one of those delusional batting average worshippers.
I feel like the Yankees should re sign Gardner, give him the Bernie Williams treatment, let him play a 16 year career worth over 40 WAR in pinstripes. I can see him still being productive.
Turn the page already!
@Rangers29- No Gardy wants to come back to play next season. He can definitely be serviceable for some team out there. Brett might want to retire a Yankee though. The Yankees seem high on Greg Allen. They are looking at him as a 4th or 5th outfielder spelling Frazier and Hicks. But if it comes down to Tauchman or Allen, then Allen is the most likely to go.
Because Gardy’s stats really aren’t as bad as Yankee fans make it out to be. I think he’s still serviceable, but I know the Yanks have to agree to a deal as well… It takes two to tango. If he wants to retire a Yankee, then I think he’s a mid-ST signing.
Rangers.. Gardy can’t catch up to the fastball anymore. He’s still a decent fielder though.
Wait did I miss it or did they not even mention Mike Stanton as an outfielder?
Mike Stanton hasn’t played in a while but Giancarlo is their DH, if that’s who you were referring to.
Rangers: it’s also the fact that Gardy may want to play and we may love having him, but I think many feel like the team is simply stagnant in many ways. They feel one way to move forward is cut him loose, get younger and better. I don’t think Greg Allen is the answer though.
Stanton can’t play outfield anymore if the Yankees hope to keep him healthy. He’s more valuable as a DH than injured on the bench.
Yankees have no business re signing Gardner. Appreciate his contributions and tenure cut ties.
Good they don’t need him
Yankees fans never have and never will appreciate this guy. If you don’t hit 40 HR you’re nothing in bronx.
@RustyHinge- no is has nothing to do with the fans. Thinking the Yankees want him to retire and get in to coaching. I am fine going with Frazier, Tauchman and Allen though. Hicks will will play center, Judge will play right, and Stanton will dh.
Not true – I appreciate him fully – for his grit and in-house leadership. I would take him back for another year. He is one of the better defensive outfielders out there.
That’s simply not true. Beloved outfielders like Paul O’Neill, Bernie, Matsui, and Gardner all never hit 40 in season. Sheffield didn’t either.
Gardner seems to always bail the Yankees out when Stanton and Judge inevitably get injured year after year. Not sure why they’re playing hardball with him, considering it’s probably take a 1 year deal around 3-5 million to resign him…
Yep. The guy is already to play.
*always
No sleep til Brooklyn
Judge in Right, Frazier in left. Trade Hicks contract. Sign a cf that can run and play above average defense!
@billysbballz- no Hicks is solid in centerfield with his defense and he hits well. The Yankees like him and he is fairly cheap. Gardy can definitely be a 4th outfielder or he’ll just retire.
Hicks has yet to prove in his entire Yankee tenure that he can play a full season….and when he gets into those “go for the fences’ habit he tends to gravitate to after hitting a couple of dingers, he typically couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat…..I agree, trade him if you can and get somebody that can play 140 games a year……..wonder what Jackie Bradley Jr with his range and glove would look like in centerfield on a pillow contract assuming nobody meets his multi year demands!
@Rocky7- got to live with Hicks in center for awhile unless he is traded. He does have an opt out in his contract in the next few years. Not sure if it’s a player or club option. My guess it’s a player option so he’ll probably opt in. I can live with Hicks playing cf if he can stay healthy and play in 130 games or so. Let’s face it there are a lot of worse players out there.
JBJ would be a nice fit
He’s fine in a platoon role. White Sox lost EE, Mazara, and McCann from last years team. While the first two did not give the team anything McCann was a loss. Adam Eaton has been signed to replace Mazara. Gardner would fit as a corner OF and allow the Sox to DH Jimenez some. That works if it’s more important to Gardner to go out as a World Series winner rather than retire a Yankee.
@RJNarvick- hey that all sounds great. But what makes you so sure your getting to a World Series in 2021? I guess you have a chance to if your not playing the Yankees in the ALCS. I wish you the best of luck.
He will be given a deal w/incentives
By The Marlins or Phillies
Mets?
If the Yankees don’t need him, The A’s need a DH/ LF that’s left handed that can platoon….
IMO If he plays for someone other than the Yankees, it will be for Girardi in Philly or for Atlanta which is the closest team to where he lives.
I like when a player plays his whole career with one team. Hoping he resigns with the Yankees
Always said Gardner achieved the impossible; an under-rated baseball player for the Yankees.
Guy’s been a pretty good player for quite a while. I admit the train has likely left the station, but it would be nice to see him wrap it up in NY.
Of course, I know what “nice” is worth…..
They’re disrespecting Brett Gardner just like they did to Bernie Williams. So much for being a career Yankee.
@Frank Diehl- No disrespect to Gardy, it’s either time to get in to coaching or feeding the Pigeons in the park. One or the other.
@Yank4Life, Gardner is still very good at baseball, what makes you think otherwise? Bernie was still MLB-quality for at least 3 years after he was forced out by the Yankees refusing to pay him too.
2 WAR players are so important, because if you cheap out, you will probably get a -0.5 WAR player.
@Marty McRae- Gardy was great for the Yankees for his career. I truthfully don’t think he has that much to offer anymore. Not sure who you root for? Maybe your team should give him a shot for about $3 million this season? Nothing more then that though.
If he got $10M what would happen? Would the earth explode? Explain why his salary matters at all.
I think Marty is Gardy’s agent.
If he got $10M the Yankees would go over the luxury tax, which means they’d have to get below it another year to avoid the escalating penalties for going over the tax repeated years.
Also the moon’s orbit would degrade from the extra gravity the mass of the additional payroll causes, killing us all in a horrific impact.
how is this disrespecting? he has been paid quite well for his service (over 60 million dollars!) His contract is up and any team including the yanks can sign him. Its not disrespect its the business of baseball as it currently stands.
How much of that is taxes, or spent on family, house, car etc?
60 divided by 13 is 4.6. Subtract taxes, agent fee, other life problems (helping out family, maybe something like a divorce or illness) and suddenly its $1.5M a year. Yall are saying he should bow out at age 38, what if he lives to be 90? Does he have enough? What about the billionaire team owner who is withholding money the player earned him? He’s going to be just fine, and the MLB player with 3 mill left in the bank is still wide open to be broke in 5 years.
Ask yourselves this question next time you decide to spout whatever salary shows up on baseball-reference as “what he made”.
Marty McRae1 hour ago
He’s going to be just fine, and the MLB player with 3 mill left in the bank is still wide open to be broke in 5 years.
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He’s made $84.6M in his career. Maybe you can start a Go Fund Me page for him.
He can live a luxurious life on the interest from putting his earnings in a bank account, without even making easy higher reward investments or spending any of what he earned. But realistically, when you have that much money to start with it’s going to grow every year — not shrink.
Vets like him also receive a six-figure pension starting at 62. Also mentioning that he’s had a bunch of endorsements ops being in NYC. I don’t even know what your point is.
Agreed. Let’s say if he had stashed $5M cash away, he can live very comfortably off interest alone with a competent financial advisor.
i seriously can’t stop laughing at marty’s stupid retort. hillarious.
♂️ Stop. Bernie was a Yankee legend. Brett has been overvalued by the front office at times and treated like he was irreplaceable, even when there were better options available most years.
@Franky D. – back in the day Bernie wouldn’t take either a bench role or possibly it was a minor league deal. He f,d it up bc he would have gotten ~350 AB fuel to other players’ injuries. Coulda been a nice season for him
Bernie was also below replacement level in his last two seasons.
Guy was terrible in the field at the end of his career. His arm just fell off and his range was awful.
He’d look great in Fenway. He wore Boston out!
There’s HOFers with less WAR than Brett Gardner. I don’t know how someone wins a ring for the Yankees and plays 13 seasons with them and is still somehow underrated, but that really just speaks to the absolute non-effort MLB has made to market its players for the last 20 or so years.
They tried that with Joe Mauer. And then Mike Trout who said he wasn’t interested. He likes the weather.
I’ll continue to say it. I love Gardy and appreciate everything he’s done wearing pinstripes. A class act on/off the field as far as we know. Plays hard and doesn’t have excuses. But let’s be real here. The future is here in Clint, Gardner is not better offensively or defensively than Frazier, that’s not a knock on Gardy, he’s got no arm strength to throw anyone out. Balls aren’t juiced like in 19’; he hit 223 with a lot of playing time.
Listen he can still play but as a backup roll which it doesn’t sound like he’s willing to accept. He made 8mil last year and idk what he’s expecting to make with the yanks but hopefully it’s under 2mil. We’ve been doing Clint dirty long enough, he’s finally got the position locked but they want to bring in a 37-38 yr old guy as his backup but probably making more money than him. Clints making like 2.1mil is younger a way better hitter and greatly improved his defense. Say what you want about the 60 game schedule but he performed when called on the defensive side.
If Gardy wants to come back he’s gonna have to swallow his pride and accept a small contract. Which he should, he’s made enough I’d imagine and got a ring in 09’. He knows the team is financially strapped since were almost at the LT limit. Yanks probably still want to add to the pen as well as have some wiggle room for call ups/trades at break. If he truly wants to be a yankee then take a small deal and come along for the ride. It’s not about disrespecting him, or a vet that’s been with them forever. It’s just the way the season is playing out, nothing personal and the front office is set on staying under the tax.
Billionaires claiming they are too poor to play appropriate taxes are the same billionaires who own almost all major media, who pay them to never question why the billionaire suddenly has no money after buying the team, but instead to focus on “It’s the players who make too much, and you at home, you played baseball in high school – they aren’t better than you! They don’t deserve the make the billions their skills create because you go to 3 games a year and that makes you think you pay their salary!”
This gets banged over all our heads over and over and it ends up with Greenmamba559 posting that he loves Gardner, but also he needs to swallow his pride and know his place, like a kept errand boy – why? He’s in the twilight of his career and he cant make any more money from playing soon.
So after getting berated by “players are actually no better than you at home, actually” marketing MLB seems to only know how to do now, Greenmamba559 now thinks Gardy shouldn’t be adequately compensated based on the profits he literally makes with his skillset that only a couple dozen people in the country even have. Its a dumb vicious cycle that’s literally killing the game right in front of us. There’s almost no joy left and every aspect of the sport comes down to players being hated for any reason by the fans.
Ah yes I remember claiming I was a better player than Gardy. Haha that was a good read, so me laying out some reasons why the yanks should move on from Gardy automatically translates to “I played in highschool I’m better than him!” Way to pull stuff out of air, or was is it because I said I love what he did but as a fan I’m not allowed to move on from a player lol. That struck a nerve with you huh? ok guy, so did you ignore what I wrote about Frazier? Makes sense to bring in a backup that’s making more than the starter right?
As far as the billionaires statement. I don’t own or run a professional sports franchise, but I do understand that the team has a goal to stay under a tax that’s only in baseball. Obviously you don’t, but ironically it’s fans like me and not you though huh? They’re are already stretched financially, ooh but since they’re billionaires they should just pony up whatever penalties accrue right Marty McRae?
Ok genius, how much should Gardy get? And where is that money going to come from. “JuSt Go OvEr ThE TaX yOu’Re ThE YaNkeEs” says the guy who probably doesn’t even know what the penalties are. Maybe you’ve been under a rock the last decade but how many ships have the yanks won by being the highest payroll since 09’? Tampa/Kc/even Houston won without the high payrolls. It’s easy to cry and complain about billionaires being cheap when it’s not your money. Then guys like Mary McRae get on here saying that fans shouldn’t make those types of comments on players cuz it’s ruining the game. Even though this genius isn’t spending his money and running a professional club. Ooo but they’re billionaires. Lol we sure are killing this sport with all these nonsense message boards huh.
You might want to think about chilling a bit. It’s a simple discussion about whether a 37 year old can contribute to a NYY team that has 4-5 outfielders.
It is not a referendum on the role of capitalism in society.
@JoeBrady
I’m not sure if you’re talking to me or Marty. However , I guess I struck a nerve with some folks. Especially after saying he should take less. I’m sorry we just saw the batting champ sign for less than he’s worth to help the team. So for him to say I’m ruining the game is hilarious and sorry if my remarks were offensive to others.
Businesses have models/plans that they run according to, the Yankees plan recently have been to stay under the tax. That isn’t news to any yankee fans.
Why do the Yankees owe him an X amount when they have a plan that they don’t want to stray from? Is it really that offensive for Gardy to accept a smaller contract to stay a yankee? He’s a backup on this current roster, the yanks have depth. I imagine the yanks could do a smaller deal but base it off of incentives for if/when the rest of the outfield gets hurt.
I think you should open a restaurant and pay all your cooks 100k a year and sell big fat ribeyes for $6.99. I am sure you will have a successful business.
He’d make a fine Royal.
He’s another player I thought would have worked well in a platoon with Duvall in Atlanta if there had been a DH.
As a Rays fan, I ask the Yankees to hold on to Allen and let Gardner walk.
Please.
Yeah, as a Tribe fan I’d seen enough of Allen by his third year. The guy has heart, but as Tommy Lasorda used to say, “He couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat.”
My guess is that he signs with the A’s
Seems like Gardner’s reached the end of the line. Frazier needs to play and Tauchman has been decent so keeping Gardner for the sake of doing so would be a silly move for Cashman
Drop Fisher, sign Gardner, mentor the young Blue Jays.
Well… bye.
Yankees are smart not to re-sign him.
Looking at the long standing climate of sports Gardner could legitimately be the last Yankee lifer.
Every teams potential last lifetime player:
Bal: Cal Ripken Jr.
Bos: Dustin Pedroia
NYY: Gardner, unless someone really wants a 37 year old Outfielder. If so, then Jeter
TB: Need a first before they can have a last (everyone thought it would be Longoria)
Tor: Still needs a first
CWS: Should be Jose Abreu. If not, John Danks
Cle: Bob Lemon
Det: Alan Trammell
KC: Alex Gordon. Could be Salvy Perez if the Royals lock him up
Min: Joe Mauer
Hou: Jose Altuve should finish his career in Houston. If not Craig Biggio
LAA: Mike Trout. If somehow they manage to trade him later Tim Salmon
Oak: Mike Norris
Sea: Edgar Martinez
Tx: Rusty Greer
Atl: Chipper Jones, though it should be Freddie Freeman (guess we will find out soon enough)
Mia: None
NYM: David Wright, maybe Jacob deGrom?
Phi Ryan Howard
Was: Ryan Zimmerman
Cubs: Ernie Banks
Cin: Barry Larkin
Mil: Bill Wegman
Pit: Willie Stargell
Stl: Yadier Molina or Adam Wainwright, whoever retires first
Az: none
Col: Todd Helton, unless Charlie Blackmon if he isn’t traded and finishes his contract in Colorado and retires
LAD: should be Clayton Kershaw, if he plays elsewhere Mike Scioscia
SD: Tony Gwynn
SF: one would think Buster Posey but if not, Matt Cain
Stl: Yadier Molina or Adam Wainwright, whoever retires first
Not to pick nits, but don’t you mean whoever retires last?
Yes that is what i meant, sorry
Have loved this guy over his career but most careers end messy. Look at Tom Seaver for gods sake. Didn’t like his BS of hitting the top of the dugout – childish. Would love to see them give young guys a chance
Just another average player blown out of the water because he played for NY.
17th all time in position player WAR for the most storied franchise in the history of sports… yep that’s the definition of average
Yanks love their injury prone lineup. They have to keep their injury prone theme going. That means no resigning the durable Gardner. Barring the shortened 2020 season, Gardner averaged 146 games played from 2014 through 2019. The younger Hicks has averaged 100 games per season in the same timeframe. He also hasn’t been necessarily better than Gardner. Actually, not better at all. Yeah sure “a healthy Hicks” is better. But Yanks never really get a healthy Hicks. Gardner on the other hand, you can count on to be there. It will be sad to not see him come back and seeing the Yanks suffer from player after player going down on the injured list. Which will happen, guaranteed.
Red Sox need a LF’er now that DOOM BLOOM traded Benny to KC. Bring in GAHHHHHHHHHHDNEE….as it may fit the Red Sox circus plan of no long term contracts.
I didn’t know Benny was available Yankees could of gotten him in the Otto deal. Gardy is coming back it’s inevitable. The Yankees are just working out a price for his final year
if he’s cheap enough, white sox should consider a flier since their depth is atrocious.
The Braves need a 4th outfielder along with a left handed hitting outfielder. I think it would be a solid addition
Fear not. Trick-or-treating was delayed but will come in a positive way for Brett Gardner and the Yankees in the coming days or weeks and most certainly before opening day on April 1st. No fooling!
Gardy is perfect fit for many teams, but Philly and the Braves are a good bet!
Why is Gardner so beloved by NYC fans? Does he have a “can-do” attitude or something? His numbers aren’t reflective of even a local legend.
I really appreciated @Hockeyjohn’s scouting report on Greg Allen. He’s basically a speedster that can play all 3 outfield positions like Mike Tauchman, so I can live with that. Thank you, Gardy for all the memories of being a Yankee. Wish you the best in 2021 and beyond.
so your not bringing him back ?
@violentdreams11- Yanks are more then likely not bringing back Gardy. But there is no reason why he can’t catch on with a team as a 4th outfielder. The Phillies and White Sox come to mind if they need him.
Just don’t count on Allen to hit much.
@hockeyjohn- if he can be our 5th outfielder, play good defense, steal a few bases occasionally well take him. Expecting Tauchman to have a bounce back year he was horrible last season. Still waiting for my boy Estevan Florial to come up. Allen and Tauchman can hold the fort till then. Maybe Florial can take over for Hicks in centerfield in the next year or two.
GREAT NEWS!
i love gardner and hope he comes back, but the yankees mlb scouting department has an incredible track record (i.e. voit, urshela, tauchman) so if they see something in allen i look forward to watching him. judge, stanton, and hicks are health risks so i wouldn’t be surprised if he gets 200+ at-bats.
Could be Socrates Brito. He’s more likely to pull a Voit or Urshela than Allen.
I’m rooting for him just so I can see his name in the lineup. Such a cool baseball name.
Gardener needs to find other suitors. I’m sure the Mets would want him. Stay in NYC and everything.
So there was a report that the Yankees and Gardner were negotiating, and now there’s a report there’s been no negotiations.
So basically one of these reports is correct. We don’t know which.
As Gardner is planning to play but his agent really hasn’t been pushing him to other teams, it would seem he’s still destined for the Yankees. They need to clear a spot. Severino goes on the 60-day DL next week when camps open. Expect Gardner to sign within minutes of that.
Gardner is in the top 1% of MLB hat sizes. Eat at Arby’s.
I’d love Gardy in San Francisco. He’d be a good centerfield platoon with Dubon with fantastic veteran leadership.
The fans that don’t appreciate Gardner are either spoiled or don’t have a good grasp of baseball knowledge …probably the same crowd that looks at batting average and RBI to decide the value of a player.
Dude has close to a 50 career WAR and people say he stinks because he doesn’t hit 30 home runs a year or do bat flips .
For those bitching about Gardner, just remember he wasn’t supposed to play 140+ games for the last 3-4 years. He was supposed to be the 4th outfielder but our OF goes down like a sack of potatoes every year since Judge/Hicks got here. So when Judge, Stanton and Hicks inevitably go down for significant stretches again, let’s hope we have someone as reliable as Gardner to step in and play 140+ games.
And seriously someone tell me the 4th outfielder that would have out produced Gardner over each of the last 4 seasons and bailed out this glass OF?
As it should be. He was never better then mediocre. Should have been sent packing 5 years ago. He is a garbage can player. Yankees don’t need a team pet. Good riddance.