TAMPA – After all that, Brett Gardner is still a Yankee.
Gardner and the Yankees agreed to a one-year contract, according to a source, that will bring the left fielder back to The Bronx less than a week before positioners will sign up for spring practice.
37-year-old Gardner was one of the veteran free agents unable to secure an off-season deal, and although manager Aaron Boone has stated that Clint Frazier is the Yankees’ starting left fielder and the team some added depth in the field in Greg Allen, Jay Bruce and Derek Dietrich, a reunion with Gardner was never out of the question.
Asked about Gardner who is not part of the Yankees “until now” on Friday, Boone replied, “So far.”
On Wednesday, Boone said of Gardner’s status, “You never know what could happen or happen. We will see.”
Gardner finished 2020 in a strong fashion, hitting 13-for-33 with a 1,190 OPS in his last 13 regular season games, and was a major factor in the playoffs.
The Yankees’ 40-man roster is full, and they’ve also agreed to a deal with left-handed Justin Wilson. Luis Severino, who is rehabilitating from the Tommy John surgery, could be placed on the 60-day injured list to secure a spot, but the Yankees should take another step.