New York Yankees: What to do with Brett Gardner’s option
By Jason Evans
The New York Yankees have just a couple of days to decide whether to pick up Brett Gardner’s option for 2019. Should they?
With the 2018 season behind us, it’s officially time to get down to business for the 2019 season. For the New York Yankees, it’s going to be pretty interesting. Their biggest rival just won their fourth title since 2004, when in that time the Yankees have won one. The Red Sox celebrated twice in the Bronx.
So where do the New York Yankees go from here, after winning over 100 games and not winning the division, and not winning a title.
One thing they have to decide on quickly is whether or not to pick up the $12 million option on Brett Gardner for next season. They could do that, or give him a $2 million buyout.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Gardner really struggled in his age 34 season. In 140 games, Gardner hit .236 with a .690 OPS and an 86 OPS+. In the second half of the season, he hit just .209 and lost his starting role when the club traded for now free agent Andrew McCutchen.
Should the New York Yankees decline the option, they would need to figure out left field. Jacoby Ellsbury is right now on the roster. He and his $21 million salary that has two more years plus an option in 2021. They have Clint Frazier, who battled concussion symptoms all year long. They could also put Giancarlo Stanton more in the outfield to free up the DH spot in free agency.
The 35 year old is the most senior member of the New York Yankees roster. He does have leadership qualities, which are important to a team that is pretty young at most areas.
If I’m running the New York Yankees, I buyout Gardner. It’s better to let a player go a year too early than too late, and while I do think Gardner has something left in the tank, I think if Ellsbury is still on the team and Frazier getting consistent at-bats, they can produce just as much, if not more than Gardner can at this point. Getting Stanton more comfortable out there would help as well.
Next. Top 10 catchers of all time. dark
You can’t hang on to players for sentimental reasons and with the options they have on the roster, plus the capability to sign free agents, and make trades, giving Brett Gardner $12 million next year, doesn’t make sense for the New York Yankees. Could they bring him back at a reduced rate and have him be a part of the mix? Sure, but $12 million is just too much.