All during this offseason, Brett Gardner‘s name was thrown around in various trade rumors. The Yankees needed pitching, and with the signing of Jacoby Ellsbury, many viewed the speedy outfielder as expendable.
Now, Gardner can make himself comfortable in pinstripes for the next few years. YES Network’s Jack Curry is reporting that Gardner and the Yankees are “on the verge” of signing a four-year extension worth $52 million, with a fifth-year club option for $12.5 million and a $2 million buyout. The extension will begin in 2015 and will NOT include a no-trade clause.
Gardner, 29, is coming off a season in which he hit .273/.344/.416 with eight homers and 52 RBI. A homegrown Yankee, Gardner owns a career line of .268/.352/.381, while amassing 161 stolen bases. Gardner also provides Gold Glove caliber defense in the outfield, as he has a career .991 fielding percentage.
With both Gardner and Ellsbury in the fold together for at most the next six years, the Yankees will have two of the speediest guys in the game patrolling the base paths and the outfield. The Yankees hope Ellsbury can teach Gardner a thing or two about being an aggressive base-stealer. Ellsbury stole 52 bags last year to Gardner’s 24.
Ellsbury, who is seen as a Gardner-esque player but with more power, will make $21 million over the next seven years – quite a step up from Gardner’s new deal. Regardless, this is a heck of a payday for the homegrown Yankee, who must be ecstatic  after an uncomfortable offseason that saw him involved in a proposed trade to the Cincinnati Reds for Brandon Phillips.
Gardner on verge of signing 4-year, $52 million deal w/ Yankees. Includes 5th year club option for $12.5M or $2M buyout. Deal starts in 2015
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) February 23, 2014
