The New York Yankees have indicated through team owner Hal Steinbrenner that they want to reduce their 2020 team payroll of $240 million to less than the luxury tax threshold of $210 million this season. With Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton, J.A. Happ, and DJ LeMahieu off the payroll, that would give the team about $60 million to spend to reach last year’s payroll. But if they wish to stay below the $210 million, it only gives them $30 to $35 million for their needs.
With the announced priority to re-sign DJ LeMahieu, which will probably end up eating up $25 million of that excess, it leaves only $5-10 million. Masahiro Tanaka most likely can get a contract with some team for more than that amount. It is doubtful he will accept a 75% reduction in pay from the Yankees and will likely go elsewhere or back to Japan to finish his career where he is a national hero.
As far as Brett Gardner is concerned, he has indicated that he would like his family to see him play for one more year, after a short season this past year with no fans in the stands. The New York Yankees did not exercise his option for 2021 and instead bought out his contract for just over $2 million. Gardner was to be paid $10 million for the upcoming season. Brett didn’t do himself any favors during this season when his average and home runs dramatically reduced from his excellent 2019 season.
General manager Brian Cashman has said he would like nothing better than to have Tanaka and Gardner back with the team in 2021. However, with no money to spend on them, considering the team wants to get another mid-rotation pitcher and beef up the bullpen, it is not likely the team will have any money to spend on the duo.
Tanaka never became the ace that the New York Yankees hoped he would be during his seven-year contract. Almost immediately after signing him, he developed a UCL partial tear in his throwing arm. Although he never required Tommy John surgery that Yankee held their breath every time he took the mound. Although he has had a good career with the Yankees, the last two years have been disappointing as he can no longer go deep into games. He has become a mostly one time through the lineup pitcher.
As far as Gardner is concerned, if the Yankees can’t come to a deal acceptable to both parties, it will be a great disappointment to Yankee fans as he is one of the most popular of Yankee players. He is the only holdover from the last World Series-winning season. He is a veteran leader in the clubhouse and will be missed by fans and his fellow players. Gardner’s abilities on the field have not been reduced regardless of his advanced age, but his hitting has been lacking.
The Yankees waited for the last minute last year to sign Gardner to his two-year contract, so you never know. This writer’s opinion and several others that neither Tanaka nor Gardner will don the pinstripes next season. Yankee fans would like to see the Yankees spend on a big-name pitcher and possibly a catcher upgrade, but that is not likely to happen with so little clarity as to what a 2021 season will look like or even if fans will be allowed back in the stands.