TAMPA – After all, Brett Gardner is still a Yankee.
According to a source, Gardner and the Yankees have agreed on a one-year contract that will bring the left-back to The Bronx, less than a week before the position players have to report for spring training.
The 37-year-old Gardner was one of the veteran free agents who could not come to an agreement in the off-season, and although manager Aaron Boone declared Clint Frazier to start the Yankees left-back, the team did a bit outfield added in Greg Allen. Jay Bruce and Derek Dietrich, a reunion with Gardner was never out of the question.
When asked if Gardner was not “up to this point” part of the Yankees, Boone replied, “Up to this point.”
Boone said on Wednesday about Gardner’s status: ‘You never know what might happen or happen. We’ll see. “
Gardner finished 2020 strong and went 13-for-33 with a 1,190 OPS over his last 13 games in the regular season and was a key factor in the playoffs.
The 40-man rankings of the Yankees are full, and they have also agreed to make a deal with left-handed Justin Wilson. Luis Severino, who is recovering from the Tommy John operation, could be placed on the 60-day injured list to open a spot, but the Yankees will have to make another move.