MLB rumors: New York Yankees open to trade offers for Brett Gardner
By Bryan Rose
No more than three days ago, reports out of New York suggested the Yankees would not trade outfielder Brett Gardner.
It was a bit odd to hear the emphatic denial considering the Yankees had just signed Jacoby Ellsbury, who is essentially a rich man’s Gardner. Add in that both Gardner and Ellsbury play center field and neither provides anything in regards to power, one would have assumed the Yankees could have attempted to trade Gardner for some lineup pop or starting pitching, of which they both needed.
However, now with the addition of Carlos Beltran, Gardner has become the odd-man out and the Yankees have seemingly changed their tune, now suggesting they will listen to offers according to Andy McCullough:
"Source: Yankees receiving significant interest in Brett Gardner and willing to trade him. They’re not shopping him, but they’re listening."
Beltran will likely be primarily used as a designated hitter towards the end of his deal so trading Gardner isn’t a must for the Yankees, though, probably would likely be a smart decision assuming New York can find a starter or infield bat in return.
In addition to Gardner, it’s possible the Yankees could also attempt to trade either Ichiro Suzuki or Vernon Wells considering the abundance of outfield help the team has on the roster.