Yankees Reportedly Hoping to Get Deal Done With Brett Gardner Soon

The New York Yankees shocked the baseball world with a $324 million deal for Gerrit Cole this week.

The team needs more than one player, though, and bringing back a familiar face is at the top of the team's to-do list this offseason, especially now that the Cole negotiations have concluded.

Brett Gardner, come on down! This might not take very long.

Yankees are hopeful to get a Brett Gardner deal done soon. Gardy belongs in pinstripes.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 12, 2019

Brett Gardner has been with the Yankees since 2008 and had one of the best seasons of his career in 2019. He posted a 4.0 WAR and hit a career-high 28 home runs. His 74 RBI and .503 slugging percentage were also new high marks.

#Yankees were described as far down the line on a new contract with Brett Gardner. It would be a surprise if it doesn’t get done. #Reunion
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 12, 2019

The veteran outfielder can hold down center field in 2020 while Aaron Judge and a healthy Giancarlo Stanton fill the corner spots.

Gardner is not going to command major money, as he is going to turn 37 years old during the 2020 season. He can come back on a one or two-year deal, and if he struggles, he can still be on the roster for depth. The Yankees are not a team worried about veterans taking time away from young guys.

His leadership is also a key factor, and explains why the Yankees are so set on giving Gardner a spot over someone like Clint Frazier during Aaron Hicks' rehab.