MLB Rumors: New York Yankees Listening On Brett Gardner, Ichiro Suzuki

Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees have obviously been pretty big movers here in the still young offseason, with pretty much all of their heavy lifting having been completed before the Winter Meetings got underway. With the likes of Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran, and Brian McCann all now in the mix, this club now stands to be quite a bit better than they were in 2013. However, that doesn’t mean that they’re done making moves.

In fact, as the Winter Meetings get into full swing in the early part of the week, the Yankees do possess a couple of the more intriguing names that will make their way to the trade market, at least as things stand right now. With Ellsbury and Beltran now in the mix, the Yankees have quite the expensive logjam in their outfield. They’ll likely try to deal at least one of their five outfielders on the current roster, and we have a good idea of who those guys will be.

Luckily in the American League, the Yankees have the advantage of being able to trot at least one of those guys out as a designated hitter. That will likely be Alfonso Soriano, and he’s probably not available as he was terrific down the stretch for the Yanks. Beltran may also see some time at DH while Soriano lines up in left field. Which leaves Brett Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki as the two Yankee outfielders that will likely be shopped.

The rumors surrounding each of them to this point have varied. In the case of Gardner, it’s been more about outside interest in acquiring him and speculation, while it’s been made clear that the Yankees are shopping Ichiro around. While we haven’t gotten quite that type of indication with Gardner, one would have to imagine that they’ll move him with the right offer.

Gardner presents teams with a younger option, capable of being a nuisance on the basepaths and providing strong defensive player. There are several teams that will pay handsomely to acquire that type of player for their lineup. Ichiro doesn’t bring major trade value to the mix, as he reached base at less than a .300 clip in 2013, but he still has a bit of game left.

Either way, the Yankees are likely going to rid themselves of a veteran outfielder sometime this week. While one would imagine they’d like to hold on to Gardner, the younger of the two, and ship out Ichiro, the trade value that each possesses may not allow that, if they’re hoping to get a decent return.