Yankees Rumors: Washington Nationals A Fit For Brett Gardner

New York Yankees Rumors: If the Yankees decide they want to clean house and trade someone such as Brett Gardner, the Washington Nationals would be a good match.

New York Yankees rumors continue to involve their power bullpen arms more often than not. While they have dominated the trade rumors along with Carlos Beltran, the Yankees could add even more names to the trade block if they decide to go into full on sell mode.

One of the players that could be added to that list is outfielder Brett Gardner. The Yankees were reportedly shopping Gardner during the offseason, with a number of teams being linked to him. The Cleveland Indians were one, with a starting pitcher being the rumored player to be coming back.

The Chicago Cubs were also rumored to be in talks for Gardner, with Starlin Castro being the centerpiece of their package. The Yankees would eventually land Castro, but would do so without having to part ways with the versatile Gardner, instead trading away Adam Warren and Brendan Ryan.

More from New York Yankees

• Last Chance Caesars Promo: Claim $1,250 Bonus for ANY MLB Bet!
• Caesars New York Promo Code Gives TWO Chances to Win Betting on Your Yankees!
• PointsBet New York Promo: FIVE $100 Bonus Bets to Back the Yankees or Mets!
• Caesars NY Promo: $1,250 Bonus to Celebrate the Return of Judge!
• Get $500 in Bonus Bets to Back Yankees or Mets With PointsBet New York Promo

The Los Angeles Angels were in need of a left fielder, and Gardner was someone people thought could fill that void. That never came to fruition either, as Gardner remained with the Yankees and has been with them since.

While the Yankees may opt to hold onto Gardner, if they do eventually make him available leading up to the trade deadline at the end of the month, one team to keep an eye on is the Washington Nationals.

The Nationals have been in the market for bullpen help, and have been connected to one of the Yankees power arms in Aroldis Chapman. While Chapman would fill a need for the Nationals, Gardner would as well. According to an evaluator that spoke with ESPN Insider Buster Olney, Gardner would be an excellent fit for the centerfield needy Nationals.

The versatility that Gardner would bring would be better utilized in the National League than it is in the American League. While versatility helps any team, it helps even more in the NL as they do not have the luxury of the designated hitter, and late game decisions are on a different level.

Gardner can play all three outfield positions, and could help solve the Nationals problem in center field. But, ESPN senior writer Eddie Matz does not believe this is a route that the team will take, instead focusing on upgrading their bullpen heading into the trade deadline.

"The Nats thought they had solved their center-field issue when they traded for Ben Revere in January. But Washington’s CF posse (primarily Revere and backup Michael Taylor) has an on-base percentage of .274, worst in the NL at that position. The good news is corner outfielders Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth, who have had their share of boo-boos in recent years, have stayed healthy. Even if the injury bug does bite, Taylor, like Gardner, can play all three OF positions (and well), so adding an outfielder probably isn’t the team’s top priority (see: bullpen)."

There could be something in the works between the two teams, as the Yankees had scouts at the Nationals game against the Los Angeles Dodgers last night.

Who the Yankees are scouting, and who they are thinking of trading to the Nationals is anyone’s guess, but Matz makes good points in his blurb about their potential interest in Gardner.

Revere has not been what the Nationals had hoped for replacing Denard Span. The same goes for Taylor, who has spent time in Triple-A Syracuse this season. Gardner could alleviate those problems, but the Nationals have more pressing needs.

While Gardner may not be their main target, the Nationals could kill two birds with one stone in negotiations with the Yankees.

No one knows what the Yankees will be looking for in exchange for Chapman, as he is an elite late inning option, but an impending free agent with some off field baggage. That makes guessing what the Yankees will ask for in a return package tough to evaluate, but they will probably look to maximize their return, as plenty of teams are in the market for Chapman.

Next: Top 5 Catchers In New York Yankees History

If the Yankees are looking for a haul in return for Chapman, the Nationals could ask for Gardner to be included in the deal if they are to part with top level prospects. Chapman alone, given his impending free agency, may not net the Yankees an MLB ready player or top prospect they are hoping for, but attaching Gardner to the deal could get them what they want from the Nationals.