Tried and true New York Yankees fans would be delighted if the Yankees allowed veteran Brett Gardner to return to the Bronx for one more year. Suppose that’s the case recent news sounds more encouraging than previously thought. When the Yankees refused his $10 million option for the 2021 season, it seemed that his return to Yankee Stadium was all but doomed. But recently, general manager Brian Cashman has been singing the praises of the 13 year homegrown Yankee.
“I love Brett Gardner,” general manager Brian Cashman said on ESPN radio.” He’s been everything you could want since he was drafted and he is as tough as they come. He is great in the clubhouse. I’d like to partner back, it just remains to be seen how it plays out. He can certainly still play. Without a doubt and he impacts in a positive way. It just has to play itself out, I’d love to have Brett Gardner back.”
Although it’s still unclear if he indeed will be back with the team in 2021, there are plenty of reasons to bring the veteran back. He is the heart and soul of a mostly young team. He teaches how to be a Yankee and is a great mentor. The other main reason is that the Yankees injury-prone outfielders, namely the two Aarons, Hicks, and Judge. It may seem that the Yankees are stacked with outfielders, but you have to remember the past; both Judge and Hicks have been off the field at the same time, and Giancarlo Stanton no longer plays on the field. Gardy can play Gold Glove-caliber left and centerfield and adds a lefty bat to the lineup. For more on this story click the audio below.
Will the Yankees entertain a trade with the Cincinnati Reds?
The Cincinnati Reds, like many MLB teams, are dumping payroll as an unclear 2021 season looms ahead. They have made it known that pitcher Sonny Gray is on the trade block. That is mostly a non-starter for the New York Yankees. But recent news that Luis Costillo is also in the conversation may be more than the Yankees can resist in at least kicking the tires on that trade concept.
The Yankees with a limited budget aren’t going to be spending big money on a high profile number two starter as the attempt to re-sign DJ LeMahieu. That deal that they have marked as a priority is likely to cost them more than they want. But an economical addition to strengthening the starting rotation is surely something the Yankees should take a hard cold look at.
Castillo has parlayed his devastating changeup into two consecutive masterful seasons, striking out 226 men in 190.2 innings pitched in 2019 before following that effort up in ’20 with 89 in 70 innings. Still just 28 years old, Castillo is eligible for arbitration for the first time this offseason and will be under team control through 2023. He is a steal at just over $4 million, and with the one trade, the Yankees could have a number two-like starter for the next three years. It all depends on what the Yankees would have to give up to make the trade happen.
Is Max Scherzer in the Yankee’s future?
New York Yankee fans know that there is no way that Max Scherzer will be a Yankee in 2021. The Yankees have no way to absorb his 30 million dollar salary. That would be nothing more than a pipe dream. But, wait, what about 2022? Scherzer is a premium pitcher that would be an excellent one-two punch at the top of the Yankees rotation with mostly young pitchers.
At the end of 2021, Scherzer will be a free agent again. The 13-year veteran pitcher has been with the Diamondbacks, the Tigers, and for the last six years, he has been a Washington National. He is a three-time Cy Young award winner, a seven-time All-Star, and an MVP nominee five times. Scherzer doesn’t appear ready for retirement for many years. If the Yankees want to pounce on the pitching star in 2022, at 37 years old next year, he might command a salary acceptable to the Yankees. Dialog on this possible acquisition should be watched during the coming season.