Yankees: Should the Yankees keep Brett Gardner after the 2018 season?

Yankees 34-year-old outfielder Brett Gardner would like to play “two or three more years.” At the conclusion of the 2018 season, the Yankees have a team option on him. With that said, should they keep him?

Yes, the Yankees should keep Brett Gardner after the 2018 season. He brings things to the table that no other player in the organization has yet to. He is a speedy leadoff hitter, that plays Gold love defense, and he comes through often during clutch situations.

There’s a reason GM Brian Cashman hasn’t let Gardner get away from the team that brought him up to the majors in 2008, and it’s because he’s an excellent ballplayer.

But at the age of 34, I will say there’s a very good possibility Cashman decides not to retain Gardy. Seeing him wear any other jersey in the near future would be surreal, but here is why it could happen.

Overstock

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As of now, New York has a ton of depth at the outfield position. Giancarlo Stanton and Jacoby Ellsbury will both be under contract in 2019. Next year, Aaron Hicks and Aaron Judge will be arbitration and pre-arbitration eligible, respectively.

They also have talented minor leaguers, like Clint Frazier and Billy McKinney who are ready for their turn in the majors. And Estevan Florial is another emerging prospect currently recovering from injury. So if the Yankees decide not to bring back Gardner, they have options to fill his shoes.

Gardner expressed his opinion to NJ.com about the possibility of this being his last year in pinstripes.

"Gardner, who turns 35 in August, said he “wouldn’t really want to play anywhere else,” but that he’d consider it if the Yankees “don’t want me here anymore and I still wanted to play a couple more years.”"

The clubhouse would have a hard time watching Gardner go. In fact, Frazier called him the captain of the team last year. So the only reason why the Yankees should not retain him next year would be to trim their overstock problem.

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My gut feeling is that Cashman will find a way to keep Gardner on the roster for at least two more years because he’s too valuable to the team and clubhouse.