According to reports, New York Yankees and veteran field player Brett Gardner had not been in negotiations until last week, but that seems to have changed. The two sides will continue to contact and work together. The Yankees have agreed to re-sign left-back Gardner, waiting for a physique, noted New York Post journalist Ken Davidoff.
It’s a one-year deal with options for players and teams for 2022, according to renowned MLB Network reporter Jon Heyman. Gardner, client at Meister Sports Management, will win a $ 4 million guarantee. He could get about $ 11 million if the Yankees choose the option next year, Heyman adds.
The Yankees turned down the $ 10 million Gardner option for 2021 in favor of $ 2.5 million after last season, but this new deal doesn’t come as a surprise. After all, the 37-year-old has been a member of the club for his entire career since making his debut in 2008 and remains an asset despite his advanced age.
Gardner is still an expert in left and center field management and posted another above-average offensive performance in 2020. While his batting average was not good, his overall line of .223 / .354 / .392 in 158 of plate appearances was about 10 percent better than the league average, according to OPS + and wRC +. He is also a highly respected member of the team’s club.
Gardner will serve as a highly regarded fourth outfielder on a team that has Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks and Clint Frazier lined up to start on the grass. The Yankees aim to stay below the $ 210 million luxury tax threshold this year, and Gardner’s recruitment shouldn’t stop them from doing so, as Jason Martinez of Roster Resource / FanGraphs estimates they’re just below $ 202 million.