The New York Yankees announced that Brett Gardner was officially extended on a one-year deal with a team option in 2021, settling at $12.5 million. Gardner, who will likely play the first half of 2020 in center field with Aaron Hicks recovering from Tommy John surgery, had a solid 2019 campaign, setting career highs in both home runs and RBIs.
Here’s what the official Yankees press release said about their esteemed veteran:
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. He played in at least 140 games for the seventh consecutive season (2013-19), one of four Major Leaguers to accomplish the feat. He and Los Angeles-AL’s Mike Trout are the only two players to reach 80 runs scored in each of the last seven seasons. On April 17, 2019, he hit a seventh-inning grand slam vs. Boston for his 100th career home run, becoming the fourth Yankee all-time to reach the milestone with a grand slam.
https://twitter.com/lindseyadler/status/1216055958859845633
Also, Gardner is one of 10 players to play for the same team for 12 consecutive seasons, which undoubtedly played a significant part in his retention. The departure of both CC Sabathia (retirement) and Didi Gregorius left the clubhouse needed a leader and veteran to lead the way. Gardner’s value comes in several forms, one being defensive versatility, the other being offensive support, and lastly, his leadership attributes and mentorship.
Gardner’s career averages:
In 1,499 career games over 12 Major League seasons (2008-19), Gardner owns a .260 (1,355-for-5,220) batting average with 876 runs, 230 doubles, 68 triples, 124 home runs, 524 runs batted in, 613 walks and a .342 on-base percentage. An AL All-Star in 2015, his next Major League appearance would make him the 18th player to play in 1,500 games for the Yankees.
While we shouldn’t expect the veteran outfielder to replicate his 2019 numbers, he’s still capable of posting serviceable totals. After the “juiced baseballs” were uncovered (inconsistency in the seams caused lack of spin), Gardner’s offensive production sky-rocketed. The Yankees splashed the cash on the Brett, but deservedly so, as he brings a ton of intangible skills to the table as well.