Fansided

Top 25 MLB free agents for 2019

By Joshua Sadlock

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros celebrates retiring the side during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros celebrates retiring the side during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 04: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Brett Gardner #11 of the New York Yankees follows through on his sixth inning home run against the Minnesota Twins in game one of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 04, 2019 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Twins 10-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 04: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Brett Gardner #11 of the New York Yankees follows through on his sixth inning home run against the Minnesota Twins in game one of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 04, 2019 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Twins 10-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

19. Brett Gardner

The ageless Brett Gardner will enter free agency coming off one of the best years of his career. At the age of 36, it just may have been enough to buy him one more multi-year deal. Gardner will most certainly not suffer the same fate as All-Star Adam Jones, who was forced to sweat out most of free agency before signing a $2-million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Whether Gardner is able to work out a return to the Yankees remains to be seen.

Gardner had the worst year of his career in 2018, hitting just .236/.322/.368 with 12 home runs and 45 RBI in 140 games. He bounced back in 2019 to hit .251/.325/.503 with 26 doubles, 28 home runs and 74 RBI in 141 games. He also stole 10 bases and walked 52 times. Gardner has spent all 12 of his MLB seasons with the Yankees and has become a fixture in that clubhouse.

The Yankees have seemed to put a value on veteran status and leadership, so that may leave an opening for Gardner to remain in the Bronx as he finishes up his career. He certainly showed enough this year to warrant a position as a platoon bat, at the very least. Given how badly the Yankees were decimated by injuries all year, Gardner’s ability to play 140-150 games almost every year of his career should be of value.

Entering his age-36 season, Gardner is still going strong and will get a chance to play out the final few seasons of his time in the big leagues on his own terms. It is unlikely that he will have to bounce from team to team on short-term or minor-league deals. Look for a two-year deal with a team option to keep Gardner with the Yankees.

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