Trade Brett Gardner to the Cleveland Indians
A while back, there were reports that the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians were discussing a trade that would send Brett Gardner to Cleveland for Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco.
Quite frankly, this is a trade that should have happened yesterday. Any time you get to unload an aging outfielder for two starting pitchers, both under the age of 29, you do it. Never mind the fact that neither player, alone, is better than Gardner. Combined, and this is the big picture, they will give the New York Yankees quite the return on a potential investment.
Last season, Salazar went 14-10, had an earned run average of 3.45, and struck out 195 batters. Carrasco went 14-12, had an earned run average of 3.63, and struck out 216 batters. Carrasco also signed a four-year, $22 million extension with Cleveland. More importantly, his contract contains club options for 2019 and 2020.
Quite frankly, if the Indians offer only one of these guys, the Yankees would be wise to accept.
