RADIO
Brett Gardner Will Benefit From Yankees Moves
7 years agoNow at 34 years old, veteran outfielder Brett Gardner continues to find new ways to improve his game. Last season, his 10th in the majors, saw him clock 21 home runs, tripling his total from 2016 and a personal best. His 157 hits were also a career-high, while he also stole his most bases in four years. Perhaps most important of all was his durability, having played at least 145 games for a fifth consecutive year. Even with all these positive factors, one giant negative looms over Gardner’s status moving forward. The South Carolina native hit just .209 against left-handed pitching, the lowest since his rookie season. Considering how loaded the Yankees currently find themselves in the outfield, Gardner could become a platoon player should his struggles persist. The fact that he still managed to post career highs in numerous categories may ease those worries. He may not see 20 home runs again, but the veteran should remain a threat to steal and a solid leadoff hitter for a monster Yankees lineup. Look for Gardner as a bench outfield option to consider in the latter stages of your drafts.
