Yankees and Brett Gardner Reportedly Discussing New Contract for 2020
By Adam Weinrib
And how could they not be?!
The Yankees and Brett Gardner have been a match made in Heaven for the duration of his tenure in the Bronx, now the longest concurrent of any Yankee.
The Bombers have seen Gardy through many different eras of his career, from slap-hitting speed demon, to clutch power threat, to "career high 28 dingers," which is something that actually happened in 2019.
Not shockingly, it appears both sides are looking to continue the relationship, without wasting much time.
Yankees and Brett Gardner are already talking about trying to stay together contractually. Why not? It’s been a fantastic marriage for both. Longest tenured Yankee had career highs in HR (28) and OPS (.829) in 2019.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 7, 2019
What seemed like a rush to judgment last offseason instead appears to be a hard-to-argue-against fit this time around. Gardy seemed like a luxury before 2019 started, but quickly became essential. And with center fielder Aaron Hicks on the shelf for the first half (at least) of 2020 following Tommy John surgery, most Yankee fans would rather put their trust in Gardner than go bargain shop elsewhere.
Of course, there's one avenue from which cold water can be spilled on this one.
Resigning Gardner without knowing how the 2020 ball will play is risky.
— Ben K. (@benyankee) November 7, 2019
That's a worry for another day.
We'd have been stunned if Gardy had chosen to go elsewhere the second Jose Altuve's walk-off ended New York's season prematurely, and that shock would have doubled following Hicks' surgical procedure.
Gardy fits like a glove, and bangs like a bat. Bring him back.