New York Yankees’ Brett Gardner could be playing his final season in Pinstripes

New York Yankees, Brett Gardner
May 29, 2018; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner (11) rounds the bases after hitting a game tying two run home run against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees are taking every precaution to remain healthy after two players tested positive for COVID-19. Both DJ LeMahieu and Luis Cessa will spend the next few weeks in isolation and recovering. LeMahieu is asymptomatic while Cessa is experiencing minor symptoms.

However, while the Yankees deal with their remaining issues, veteran Brett Gardner has no doubt he will be committed to the 2020 campaign.

Gardner is confident that the Yankees can compete for a World Series trophy this season:

“I am personally 100% committed I don’t think that I would be here if I wasn’t obviously that’s a you know conversation that I’ve had with my wife and with my family over the last few weeks and two months through all this and you know i think that you know I’m obviously me being here, you know, kind of speaks for itself and then I’m committed to doing everything I can and doing my part and try make this work and you know be here for my teammates,” Gardner said Sunday, per Kristie Ackert of the NY Daily News.. “As I said I think we’ve got a great group of guys and a really good chance to do some special things on the field this year.  I look forward to being a part of that.

“I just think that there’s obviously a lot of uncertainty with where things are right now and not for myself personally but just, just as a whole, I mean I think a lot of things are going to have to go right for, for all this to work,” Gardner said. “I’m optimistic but I’m also, you know, cautious and a little hesitant at the same time so um yeah just take things one day at a time, and enjoy everything that comes along with this and like I said, we’ll see what happens.”

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The Yankees are paying a lot of money for their veteran outfielder

In 2019, Gardner signed a one-year, $12.5 million deal with the Yankees, including a $2 million signing bonus bringing his total salary up to $12.5 million. This off-season, he’s signed on for a base salary of $8 million and a signing bonus of $2 million, which will amount to $10 million in total salary.

The Yankees have a club option for 2021 worth $10 million, which they could exercise on the 36-year-old veteran.

However, with a shortened campaign and money needed to retain several starting pitchers during the 2021 off-season, Yankees might have to cut dead weight. However, Gardner provided ample value last season, posting a .251 batting average with 28 homers and 74 RBIs. He recorded career highs in both HRs and RBIs last season.

While his success might have been a product of juiced baseballs, another quality campaign in 2020 would give the Yankees enough proof to retain him for one more season. However, if he struggles, they are better off letting him walk and potentially retire in pinstripes. This could be the end of the road for Gardner, who has served the Yankees valiantly over 12 seasons.