Yankees Rumors: Exploring Possible Destinations for Gardner and Headley

A recent Ken Rosenthal report has tabbed Chase Headley and Brett Gardner as the “most available Yankees in a trade.”

After under-performing in his two-and-half years in the Bronx, Chase Headley is finally on the trading block. In his Yankees tenure, Headley has produced a paltry .257 average, with 31 home runs and 130 RBI, and committed 36 errors in the field. Headley, 32, is under contract for $26 million dollars over the next two years.

Brett Gardner on the other hand, has spent all nine of his MLB seasons with the Yankees, with some success. For his career, Gardner has hit .264 with 63 home runs, 342 RBI, while stealing 218 bases, including a league-leading 49 in 2011. Gardner has been named to one All-Star team, in 2015, and was just named a Gold Glove award winner for this past season. At 33 years-old, Gardner is owed $24 million over the next two years, with a $12.5 million team option and $2 million buy-out for 2019.

In an offseason with a thin free-agent market, the trade markets for both players could heat up. With Brian McCann traded to the Astros on Thursday, what teams could be after the services of Headley and Gardner?

Teams with possible interest in Brett Gardner

Baltimore Orioles

While this is a less than likely scenario, Baltimore is in desperate need of corner outfielders. While Adam Jones has patrolled center field since 2008, the two corner outfield spots have been a weak spot for the club. Gardner would be a significant upgrade over the current options of Hyun Soo Kim, Joey Rickard, and Daniel Alvarez.

Gardner would bring speed to the Orioles lineup, a lineup that stole just 19 bases all season, last in the MLB. Gardner alone stole 16 bases for the Yankees. In return, the Yankees should be able to pry at least one top 20 prospect from Baltimore, who have a wealth of pitching prospects in their system.

Philadelphia Phillies

More from Yankees News

• Baseball Reference proves Yankees’ Aaron Judge lives rent free in Boston
• Yankees’ Clay Holmes trade just became even bigger disaster for Pirates
• Mets stealing New York Post’s entire Yankees offseason plan is hilarious
• Yankees add to championship core with Wilmer Difo signing
• Aaron Judge’s ‘breadcrumbs’ showed he was never leaving Yankees, has more moves in mind

Another long-shot, but corner outfield is an obvious spot of need for the Phillies. The main issue blocking a potential trade would be Gardner’s two-year deal. With an influx of young talent, namely Nick Williams inching closer to the major leagues. A lot of factors do play in favor of a deal however, notably the financial flexibility the club possesses, with a current payroll of just $69.2 million.

A lot of factors do play in favor of a deal however, notably the financial flexibility the club possesses, with a current payroll of just $69.2 million. Jhailyn Ortiz, 2015 international free-agent signing, is the Phillie’s 20th ranked prospect according to mlb.com, with 5 outfielders in front of him, seemingly blocking his path to Philadelphia, could be part of the package that New York receives.

San Francisco Giants

San Francisco is the most likely destination for Gardner, with Gregor Blanco and Angel Pagan both set to hit the free-agent market. However, reports have surfaced linking Yoenis Cespedes to the Giants. Only two outfield prospects, Bryan Reynolds and Steven Duggar crack mlb.com’s top 10 list for San Francisco, and neither are projected to stick in the majors before Gardner’s contract runs out. With Cespedes likely to command a deal longer than Gardner’s current contract, his addition could block both Reynolds and Duggar.

With Cespedes likely to command a deal longer than Gardner’s current contract, his addition could block both Reynolds and Duggar. Chase Johnson, a likely swing-man in the majors, could be an interesting piece for the Yankees to pursue.

Teams with possible interest in Chase Headley

Boston Red Sox

With Yoan Moncada on the horizon, Boston will look for just a temporary solution at third base. Travis Shaw was lethal in the beginning of the year, but cooled off considerably after the all-star break, which brought along Aaron Hill to implement a platoon system at third. Pablo Sandoval is set to return in 2017, much to the dismay of Red Sox fans.

If the team wants another platoon system, Headley would be a viable option, as a switch-hitter he could be put into the lineup against any starter, but most likely would be used against lefties as to allow Shaw maximum playing time. Since Headley’s value is diminished due to his lack of production in the Bronx, it is tough to predict what the Yankees will get in return.

My guess would be Kyle Martin, the Red Sox 28th ranked prospect according to mlb.com, who at 25 is on the older end of the prospect spectrum.

Milwaukee Brewers

Milwaukee is in need of a third baseman, with no intention of making Jonathan Villar the long-term starter there, according to Jon Heyman. Luis Valbuena is an option through free-agency, a left-handed power bat.

Again, like in Boston, Headley could slide into the platoon, facing left-handed pitching. Headley is still an expensive option to be a part-time player, so the Yankees would likely have to cover most of the remaining contract, especially for a rebuilding team like the Brewers.

Next: Three Risky Starters the Yankees Should Target

Tyrone Taylor, the 26th ranked prospect in the Milwaukee system according to MLB Pipeline, is a 22-year-old outfielder who could be the headline part of a return package, as he has struggled in two consecutive years at Double-A.