The New York Yankees and outfielder Brett Gardner have agreed on a one-year deal worth $ 4 million, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan, who confirmed multiple reports.
The deal is pending a physical exam. It includes an option for a sophomore player that, if declined, becomes a team option, sources said.
Gardner, 37, became a free agent in November when New York declined a $ 10 million option, leading to a $ 2.5 million purchase. He has been with the Yankees since 2008 and is their last player on the 2009 World Series winning squad. His 14-year tenure with a team during his career ranks fifth among active players.
Gardner hit .223 with five home runs and 15 RBI’s in the short season, down from .251 with 28 home runs and 74 RBI’s in his 2019 career. The Yankees agreed to a $ 2 million signing bonus and salary deal. of $ 8 million for 2020, which was $ 2,962,963 in prorated payment.
“Obviously he’s been a great Yankee, but we’ll see how things turn out here,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Wednesday during spring practice in Tampa, Florida.
Boone then said that Clint Frazier was projected as his starting left fielder after making great strides in his fourth season with the Yankees last year. 26-year old Frazier hit .267 with eight home runs and 26 RBI’s in 131 at bats during the pandemic-shortened season, hitting .267 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI’s in 225 at bats in 2019.
Drafted in the third round by the Yankees in 2005, Gardner hits .259, 129 home runs, and 539 RBI’s.
The Associated Press contributed to that report.