Gardner, Yankees finalize 1-year deal
Brett Gardner wanted to come back. The Yankees wanted him back. And now the two sides have made it official.
The Yankees announced Saturday that they resigned Gardner to a oneyear contract, with a club option for 2021. The deal is worth $12.5 million.
The two sides agreed to the deal during last month’s winter meetings and Gardner took his physical on Tuesday.
Gardner, 36, hit .251/ .325/.503 (123-for-491) with 86 runs, 26 doubles, 7 triples, 28 home runs, 74 runs batted in, 52 walks and 10 stolen bases over 141 games in 2019, setting career highs in home runs, RBI and slugging percentage.
What a difference a year makes.
Going into the 2019 season, Gardner was forced to settle for a reduced deal after the Yankees chose not to pick up the option on his contract. It was thought he was just going to be a fourth outfielder.
But Gardner was forced back into an everyday role after Aaron Hicks missed the majority of the season due to injury. And he ended up being a key cog for a team that won 103 games and the AL East crown for the first time since 2012.
A few teams had kicked the tires on giving Gardner a contract offer this winter, but it became clear he wanted to stay in pinstripes.
Gardner is the longest tenured Yankee and takes over the role as clubhouse leader from the retired CC Sabathia. He also has been a key mentor to young star Aaron Judge.
Add Gardner’s $12.5 million to the deal the Bombers gave Gerrit Cole (9 year/ $324M) and the Yankees’ projected luxury tax payroll comes to about $248 million (the threshold where the highest luxury tax rate starts).
The Yankees had waited to make Gardner’s new deal official until they saw what their nine arbitration eligible players would cost them. The Yankees avoided arbitration with all nine before the Friday deadline.
The team still hopes to shed J.A. Happ’s $17 million salary to shed payroll and give them a little flexibility heading into the season.
Lefthander Stephen Tarpley was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Gardner.