Yankees’ outfielder Brett Gardner is one of the hottest names of the 2015 offseason, especially after the Yankees shipped catcher John Ryan Murphy to the Twins for 26-year-old outfielder Aaron Hicks. While Gardner is viewed as the centerpiece of a deal with the Mariners for left-hander James Paxton, he is a cog in a much larger deal being speculated on with the Nationals.
The Yankees and Nationals are reportedly mulling a deal in which the Yanks would send Gardner and closer Andrew Miller to Washington for right-hander Stephen Strasburg and reliever Drew Storen, per CBS' Jon Heyman. This deal would be a wild risk for the Nationals, and one created by mismanagement in 2014.
Brett Gardner To Seattle Trade Being Discussed
Gardner had a solid 2015 campaign overall, but his production dove off a cliff in the second half. He slashed .259/.343/.359 with 16 home runs and 20 stolen bases. Gardner will turn 33 during the 2016 season, however, and his defense has fallen over the last two years to the point where he’s been a detriment, per Fangraphs. Washington would be adding a veteran on the decline in picking up Gardner, who has three years remaining on a four-year, $52 million contract.
Miller, not Gardner, is the prize though. Miller was a lights-out closer in 2015, saving 36 games and posting a 1.90 ERA and a 14.59 K/9. The thing is, the Nationals had an effective closer last season in Storen, until they signed an aging veteran with worse numbers (Jonathan Papelbon) to replace him at the trade deadline. Storen posted a 1.89 first half ERA, and a 5.89 ERA in the second half. He was disgruntled from the outset about the Papelbon trade, and with better numbers, had a legitimate beef. That ill-fated move not only caused their bullpen to implode, Papelbon fought star outfielder Bryce Harper in the dugout near the end of the season.
Bryce Harper, Jonathan Papelbon Make Nice
Beyond that, trading Strasburg in his physical prime is near-unthinkable. His value is down after another season in which he has battled injury, and suffered through a poor start. Strasburg’s 3.46 season ERA doesn’t stand out with pitching on the rise, especially in the NL East, but his 2.81 FIP hints better days are ahead.
Strasburg posted a 1.90 ERA in the second half of 2015, striking out 92 batters in 66 1/3 innings, with opponents batting just .117 off of him. Strasburg flashed the form he showed when he burst onto the MLB scene. The Mets boast a rotation that will be loaded with five young potential aces once Zack Wheeler returns, and the Marlins have Jose Fernandez atop their group. The Nats need Strasburg far more than they need an aging outfielder and a relief pitcher, even if Miller is one of the league’s best.
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