Yankees moving closer to a reunion with Brett Gardner

While the Yankees continue their pursuit of big ticket players like Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg, the organization is still engaged with its own free agents.

According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Yankees have offered Brett Gardner a new deal and the two sides continue to talk. Heyman reported in the beginning of November that the Yankees had been in touch with Gardner's camp about a reunion.

https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1203052202002145281?s=20

Gardner is coming off a year in which he hit .251/.325/.503 with career highs in homers (28) and OPS (.829). A new deal seemed likely as we progressed through the season and Gardner performed offensively and continued to play solid defense. The Yankees also love his veteran leadership in the clubhouse, and probably want that to remain, especially with CC Sabathia retiring. The odds for a new deal increased dramatically after it was announced Aaron Hicks needed Tommy John Surgery in October.

If Gardner does in fact return for a 13th season in pinstripes, he’ll join outfielders Mike Tauchman, Clint Frazier, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge in spring training. If all goes well, Hicks is expected back in the middle of the summer.