MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees might move Brett Gardner
By Josh Hill
The New York Yankees might trade Brett Gardner this offseason to shore up a lineup they hope is World Series bound in 2016.
With the New York Mets in the World Series for the first time since the Subway series in 2000, the team they faced is looking at an offseason where moves need to be made to ensure a title run next year. It’s the Yankees we’re used to seeing go on a tear in th postseason, but instead they’re pondering moves that might need to be made rather than prepping for World Series play.
One move that might happen is trading beloved outfielder Brett Gardner.
As opined by MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, the Yankees might start to consider the idea of trading Gardner to relieve a logjam in the outfield that is complicated by A-Rod filling up the DH role in 2016.
"Gardner is heading into the second year of a four-year, $52 million deal, which is relatively attractive; we’ve seen bigger contracts moved in recent years. As a legitimate center fielder with speed who can bat leadoff — something the Yanks, in theory, already have in Ellsbury — Gardner would pique the interest of quite a few teams in the marketplace."
It’s not a foregone conclusion that the Yankees will be open to trading Gardner, but it might be a solution to a problem that ball clubs around the league wouldn’t like to have. A-Rod is going to continue to be the DH for New York and that means Beltran will only get to see the plate if he’s in the outfield.
New York wants both A-Rod and Beltran in the lineup — a smart move, to say the least — but that means a logjam is created in the outfield to make such a lineup possible.
Gardner has a rather attractive deal that is team friendly to just about every ball club that could want him. The question would be where he fits best and more importantly what is the return New York wants for him. It’s not going to be a deal that blows anyone out of the water — and it might not even happen — but the Yankees moving Gardner this winter is one of a handful of moves to keep an eye on as the Winter Meetings approach.