Gardner on his and Holliday’s multi-HR games: “He kept telling me that he was one-upping me, so I had to get back even.” #YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/duUcfAlTzr
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 31, 2017
During this past winter, the longest-tenured Yankee addressed a few rumors regarding his candidacy as a potential trade piece. At that time, he wasn’t fazed by the rumblings.
But with the calendar about to turn to June, Brett Gardner is probably thinking more about his future in New York, thanks to a month-long power surge that no one saw coming.
En route to the Yankees’ 8-3 win over the Orioles at Camden Yards on Tuesday night, Gardner slugged two home runs off of starter Chris Tillman after four innings, adding to an astounding May in which he’s hit .330 with nine home runs and 20 RBI in 25 games. While rookie outfielder Aaron Judge leads the Yankees and Major League Baseball with 17 jacks, Gardner has also climbed up the ladder, and currently has more homers than big-name sluggers like Edwin Encarnacion, Robinson Cano, Miguel Cabrera, and Manny Machado, to name a few.
During the Yankees’ telecast on YES, color commentator Ken Singleton described Gardner’s hot streak to Frank Sinatra’s tune ‘That’s Life,’ but with a little twist. While Sinatra sings of someone who was riding high in April but shot down in May, the Yankees’ left fielder has been the complete opposite. Shockingly, Gardner didn’t collect his first RBI until April 29 against Baltimore, ironically, and entered May hitting just five points above the dreaded Mendoza Line at .205.
So, what explains Gardner’s resurgence? Apparently the credit is not given to his swing, but to his legs.
“I’ve stayed in my legs, tried to take my ‘A’ swing and stayed aggressive,” Gardner told the NY Daily News on May 21. “I’ve hit some balls over the fence, but it’s not necessarily what I’m trying to do. You just have to have good at-bats and it just works out that way. I’m just trying to put together good at-bats and drive the ball.”
Gardner’s 2016 campaign was a forgettable one, as he hit .261/.351/.362 with just seven homers, 16 steals, and 41 RBI in 148 games. But he’s no stranger to hot first halves, as he earned a spot on the American League All-Star team back in 2015. While Gardner’s currently making a case for a Midsummer Classic return, he’s also known for his second half cool-offs, and for the Yankees’ front office, that may be a concern.
At this point last season, it seemed as if the ship to trade Gardner had sailed. But to the Yankees’ delight, that ship appears to be returning. Although he turns 34 in August, and is owed $24 million by the time his contract expires in 2019, Gardner presents himself as a valuable asset for contending clubs, and if phone calls are made, the Yankees shouldn’t hesitate to pounce on any offer.
If Gardner was to pack his bags, New York wouldn’t struggle to find an exceptional replacement. Fourth outfielder Aaron Hicks has performed at a high level this spring, entering Wednesday night with an OPS of .984 — ranked second-highest among Yankees hitters. The team also has options further down the line, as a bevy of talented outfield prospects are close to reaching the big league level. While Judge was the first youngster to debut, the team expects 22-year-old Clint Frazier to arrive in the coming years, and during that same time frame, top-draft pick Blake Rutherford could also be in that discussion. Those are big names on the Yankees’ radar, but it’s also worth mentioning a player like 22-year-old Dustin Fowler, who’s excelling with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Losing a player like Gardner — who debuted in pinstripes back in 2008 at the old Yankee Stadium — would tweak the cast of leaders in the clubhouse, but with the franchise turning to a new generation of players, the time to move Gardner could be soon if he maintains steady numbers. After all, who knows if the opportunity will ever present itself again.
