Call to the pen
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New York Yankees or bust for Brett Gardner

By David Hill

Oct 5, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Brett Gardner (11) catches the fly ball hit by Boston Red Sox designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (18) during the first inning of the American League Wildcard game at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Brett Gardner (11) catches the fly ball hit by Boston Red Sox designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (18) during the first inning of the American League Wildcard game at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Brett Gardner Era seems to be over. He had declined his player option on Thursday, leading to the New York Yankees doing the same with their team option. For the second consecutive year, Gardner heads into free agency with the possibility of playing for a different organization.

Gardner did not exactly set the universe on fire in 2021. He produced a .222/.327/.362 batting line in his 461 plate appearances, hitting ten homers and 16 doubles. Injuries forced Gardner into duty in center field, where he was actually close to league average despite being 38 years old.

Brett Gardner will return to New York Yankees or retire

While his overall numbers were disappointing, Gardner actually performed well down the stretch. From August 1 through the end of the season, he produced a solid .261/.351/.441 batting line in 185 plate appearances, hitting six homers and seven doubles in that time. For those two months, Gardner looked like the player he had been over the majority of his career.

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That run over the final two months may show that Gardner still has something left after all. It is possible that production could entice a team in need of a fourth outfielder and veteran presence on the bench. A younger team could certainly learn a lot from a respected player such as Gardner, one who has won a championship and knows what it takes to reach the postseason.

But that would run contrary to the player that Gardner has been. He has been a member of the Yankees since he was selected in the third round of the 2005 MLB Draft. In theory, Gardner could have signed with another team last offseason, but he waited until February for the Yankees to have an opening to return to the only organization he has ever known.

That is likely to be the case again this offseason. Gardner may hang around in free agency, waiting to see if the Yankees will need his services one more time. If not, it would not be surprising for the former All Star to hang up his cleats, calling it a career after 14 years in the majors.

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Brett Gardner has been a lifelong member of the New York Yankees. Chances are, that will not change in this trek through free agency.

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