MLB: The most valuable center fielders of 2019

MLB: The most valuable center fielders of 2019

6. Brett Gardner, New York Yankees, $7.661 million value; $7.5 million salary

Gardner may or may not even be on New York’s roster when the 2020 season starts. He’ll be 36 then and New York has stacked its outfield with Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks, and Aaron Judge. On the other hand, the Yanks are on the hook to Gardner for $10 million next year whether they play him or not, and even in the Bronx $10 million is real money.

Given his lack of showiness relative to his outfield teammates, it’s easy to overlook the value of Gardner’s contribution. He hasn’t hit over .270 since 2013 and managed just 2.51 in 2019. Still, his 117 OPS+ translated to a 4.0 WAR in 2019, and that amounted to $5.32 million in value, the position’s sixth-largest.

Gardner is the archetype of the old-school center fielder, one who emphasizes fielding percentage over fly-chasing. His .996 average ranked as the position’s third-best, behind only Billy Hamilton and Teoscar Hernandez, both part-timers who rank well down the value line. It translated to $698,000 in on-field value.

What he has lost over the seasons is range. Gardner’s 2.18 chances per game is below average for a center fielder, generating just $1.046 million in value, the position’s 32nd best.

Thanks in part to all the injuries the Yankees suffered in 2019, Gardner did get in 1,119 innings, the position’s sixth-best figure.