Fansided

5 players the Yankees need to get rid of this offseason

By Rucker Haringey

BRONX, NY - SEPTEMBER 02: Clint Frazier #77 of the New York Yankees looks on during the game between the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Monday, September 2, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
BRONX, NY - SEPTEMBER 02: Clint Frazier #77 of the New York Yankees looks on during the game between the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Monday, September 2, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 13: Brett Gardner #11 of the New York Yankees takes batting practice before game two of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on October 13, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 13: Brett Gardner #11 of the New York Yankees takes batting practice before game two of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on October 13, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

4. Brett Gardner

The team’s longest-tenured player deserves a ton of credit for being more productive than anyone expected in 2019. No one could have reasonably hoped for him to post a WAR of 4.0 in 141 games at the age of 36.

None of that means the Yankees should count on him to reprise his role next season. Chances are, Gardner’s production is going to decline sharply as he gets closer to 40. The issues with bringing him back were readily visible during his at-bats against elite pitching in the playoffs. Gardner looked badly overmatched when trying to deal with the high-velocity fastballs thrown by the Astros’ staff.

Bringing him back on another one-year deal wouldn’t be a disaster, but it’s not going to maximize the Yankees’ ability to win a World Series next October. It’s time for the team to look for a younger player with more upside to be their fourth outfielder. If Cashman can’t acquire that type of player, he should simply bring Cameron Maybin back on a cheaper deal. The money Gardner will ask for could be spent elsewhere on more valuable players.

Letting Gardner go will be a tough emotional decision for a franchise that prides itself on taking care of its veterans, but it’s the sort of ruthless choice Cashman needs to make with regularity this offseason. 2020 is a season where the Yankees need to spend big on every spot on the roster. Securing an upgrade over Gardner is a way to strengthen the options available to manager Aaron Boone.

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