The Grass or “Garden-er” is always greener on the other side.
The Yankees and outfielder Brett Gardner are set to agree on a four-year, $52 million extension. The deal includes a team option for a fifth year. While it doesn't have a no-trade clause, Gardner would be given a one-million dollar relocation bonus if traded. He would've been a free agent after the 2014 season.
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Gardner, 30, hit .273 with eight home runs and 52 runs batted in during the 2013 season. His ten triples led the American Leagues.
"I like what he brings, the speed dynamic, the defense and I think the offense is there as well," Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said. "Although he's going to be playing left field most of the time for us, I think he's one of the better lead off/center fielders that this game can provide."
Gardner has played six Major League seasons, all with the Yankees. He's a career .268 with 161-career stolen bases. His 49 stolen bases in 2011 were tied with the Athletics Coco Crisp for first in the American League. He was the first Yankee to lead the American League in stolen bases since Alfonso Soriano in 2002.
"I let it be known to them that I wanted to stay here and be a part of this,” said Gardner. “I learned from guys that come from other places there's no better place to play, and I look forward to staying here and helping the team win. It takes a lot of pressure off me, going out and having to perform in a walk year. Free agency's something that kind of intrigued me, but it also kind of scared me. I've never been anywhere else."
Gardner was almost traded in the off-season. Reports came out that the Yankees had multiple discussions with other teams about Gardner's availability, including conversations with the Reds about second baseman Brandon Phillips and/or starting pitcher Homer Bailey.
Gardner has been a fan favorite since his Major League debut with the Yankees in 2008. Once Derek Jeter retires after the 2014 season, Gardner will be revered even more so than before. He and David Robertson will become the longest tenured “home-grown” Yankees upon Jeter's retirement. While it seems almost too soon to believe, Gardner has become a Yankees' veteran overnight. He is quiet young man who plays the game with pride and determination, something great Yankee leaders of the past were known for.
I'm not saying Gardner will ever become a Derek Jeter type player, or a player even close to that measure. No one will ever replace Derek Jeter. However Gardner will be looked upon as a leader in the clubhouse and off the field. If you think about it, Gardner is in a similar position to that of former Yankees' outfielder Roy White.
White made his Major League debut in September of 1965. He came up with similar skill-sets to Gardner, great speed and defensive abilities with the occasional power. White came up during the decline of the great Yankees of old. Yogi Berra, Roger Maris and Elston Howard were long gone. Whitey Ford and Mickey Mantle were on their last legs (or knowing Ford and Mantle, was it their last kegs of beer?) Come 1969, those legendary Yankees were all retired. White had to step up and become a Yankee leader. He did become a leader, serving as the bridge between Yankee dynasties of old and new. He played 15 years in the Major Leagues, all with the Yankees, having won two World Series titles with the team.
Gardner will likely take on this “Roy White” like role. He doesn't have to be the greatest Yankee of all-time. However he will be a good Yankee, one that fans will rely on for years to come.
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