The New York Yankees are bringing back popular outfielder and pulse of the team, Brett Gardner, on a one-year contract.
The New York Yankees are re-signing Brett Gardner to a one-year, $10 million contract. The new deal also includes a $10 million club option for 2021, plus a $2.5 million buyout. Several sources reported the deal, including Joel Sherman of The New York Post.
Gardner is $10M for 2020, $10M club option for 2021 with a $2.5M buyout. #Yankees The 2020 breakdown is $2M signing bonus, $8M salary. #Yankees
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 12, 2019
Gardner debuted with the Yankees as a rookie in 2008 and has been a staple of the lineup and clubhouse ever since. He is a Gold Glove-winning outfielder and still has reliable speed at age 36. In 2020, he will most likely serve as the everyday center fielder while Aaron Hicks recovers from Tommy John surgery.
The 2019 season, meanwhile, proved to be a career year for Brett Gardner. He only hit .251 but launched a career-best 28 home runs with 74 RBIs. This proved huge for Gardner, who hit a sluggish .236 in 2018 before being benched for Andrew McCutchen.
Now, however, the Yankees have an offseason to truly celebrate. Not only did they land the biggest free agent available in Gerrit Cole, but a fan favorite has now returned. Gardner is now the longest-tenured Yankee on the roster.
Gardner can also look forward to being a cult hero in 2020. His entertaining bat-banging last season became an overnight viral sensation. When he was ejected from a game for doing it, the team used it as is rallying cry, the new “thumbs down” if you will.
Either way, the Yankees’ outfield is now set. MLB network’s Jon Heyman reported multiple teams offered Gardner multiyear contracts, yet Gardner wasn’t shy about his preference to remain in New York.
He was drafted as a Yankee, and now he will more than likely retire as a Yankee. Here’s hoping he can now win another World Series ring with them.
