Yankees Reportedly Bring Brett Gardner Back on One-Year Deal With Option
The New York Yankees needed to address a hole in their outfield with Aaron Hicks set to miss time after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Right on cue, the team decided to keep things familiar by bringing back Brett Gardner for another season, as first reported by George A. King III of the New York Post.
Outfielder Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees are in agreement on a one-year, $12.5 million deal that includes a club option for $10 million, a source tells ESPN. First with the news was @GeorgeAKingIII.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 12, 2019
Gardner has only ever played for the Yankees, and returns for what will be his 13th MLB season. The Bombers are getting a player who flashed some newfound power in 2019 with 28 home runs and 74 runs batted in. All told, Gardy has pretty much seen everything at this point.
Look who's back.
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) December 12, 2019
Yankees reportedly re-sign Brett Gardner. pic.twitter.com/lglJdE6NDg
The Hicks injury opened up the need in the outfield. Hicks signed a seven-year deal last offseason, so he is in the future plans more so than the 36-year-old Gardner, yet Tommy John could take over a year to heal. Gardner thus gets a 2021 option as well.
Gardner posted a 4.0 WAR in 2019 while appearing in 141 games. His durability is a major asset to the team, and getting him back for $12.5 million is nothing for a team like the Yankees.