New York Yankees Must Trade Brett Gardner
This offseason, the New York Yankees have made some solid win-now moves, but they should still look to deal outfielder Brett Gardner.
The New York Yankees have been productive this offseason, most notably in the free agent market. They’ve signed Cardinals outfielder Matt Holiday to a one-year deal and they’ve brought back closer Aroldis Chapman on a five year/85 million dollar deal after a brief stint with the Chicago Cubs. However, while Holiday and Chapman were both win-now moves, the Yankees should look at dealing outfielder Brett Gardner to help benefit their long term success, rather than their short-term.
Gardner Clouds The Development Of Clint Frazier
While Gardner is still a productive top of the order hitter and a very good fielder, he’s a roadblock for the development of the Yankees outfield prospects, most notably Clint Frazier.
Frazier was acquired in the Andrew Miller deal at the trade deadline, and is viewed as a building block for the Yankees rebuilding efforts. However, the crowded outfield that the Yankees have delays the possibility of him getting sent up and playing
In addition to Gardner, the Yankees have outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, Aaron Hicks, and youngster Aaron Judge; the Yankees envision Ellsbury and Judge starting, in addition to Gardner. While many would plea for Ellsbury to be dealt, he’s going into the fourth year of a monster seven-year/153 million dollars deal, and he hasn’t played up to that contract, making him nearly untradeable. Also, Aaron Hicks has also not played up to expectations.
Hicks was acquired last offseason from the Minnesota Twins to potentially start, but when he got playing time in 2016, he disappointed many hitting just .217. With Hicks and Ellsbury not playing up to expectations, Gardner is the logical choice to be dealt.
Potential Gardner Suitors
Despite not being a force at the plate, Gardner won a gold glove in 2016; he’s an elite fielder. He still has plenty of baseball left in him, but what teams would inquire on the 33-year-old outfielder?
Texas Rangers
One team that could make a run at Gardner is the Texas Rangers. This offseason, the Rangers have lost outfielders Ian Desmond and former Yankee Carlos Beltran.
While they still have veterans Carlos Gomez and Shin-Soo Choo, the Rangers could use another outfielder; Gardner would fit the bill. He could be their leadoff hitter, and help aid the loss of Desmond and Beltran. In return, the Yankees could ask for first baseman Joey Gallo.
While Gallo has faded a bit, he’s still a power hitting lefty bat, who the Yankees could try to develop, and try to make their starting first baseman. He’d be another prospect that the Yankees could add to their arsenal.
Batimore Orioles
The Orioles acquired the lefty Wade Miley from the Mariners at last year’s trading deadline, but he disappointed. Recording an ERA over five, Miley wasn’t the reliable rotation arm the Orioles thought they were getting. As a result they’ll likely field offers for him, and the Yankees could be a fit.
Outside of Masahiro Tanaka and CC Sabathia, the Yankees rotation appears unclear. While not a great arm, Miley could get thrown into the middle of the rotation, and perhaps blossom in a new home. On the flip side, Gardner makes a lot of sense for the Orioles.
With power hitting righty Mark Trumbo still on the free agent market, it appears he and the Orioles are unlikely to reach a deal to keep him in Baltimore. As a result, the Orioles are seeing who they can bring in to replace him, and Gardner would be a solid replacement. He could hit leadoff, and platoon in left and right field.
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While trading with the division rival Orioles seems like a risky, and bizarre move, a Gardner-Miley deal benefits both clubs, and while they’ve made some solid moves, the Yankees likely aren’t playing for October baseball.
Gardner Will Never Have More Trade Value Than He Does Right Now
Gardner has been a big part of the Yankee organization since he came up with them in 2008, but the Yankees would be wise to deal him. While he’s still a solid leadoff hitter, and a gold glover, Gardner’s under contract for only two more years at around $13 million a year, making him a very attractive trade chip. His value will never be higher than it is now, and with him clouding the development of outfielder Frazier, the Yankees should deal Brett Gardner.