Yankees: Predicting which free agents they’ll bring back for the 2020 season

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 24: Austin Romine #28 and Aroldis Chapman #54 of the New York Yankees celebrate defeating the Minnesota Twins after the game on July 24, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Yankees defeated the Twins 10-7. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 24: Austin Romine #28 and Aroldis Chapman #54 of the New York Yankees celebrate defeating the Minnesota Twins after the game on July 24, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Yankees defeated the Twins 10-7. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 17: Brett Gardner #11 of the New York Yankees reacts after he hit a grand slam in the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on April 17, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Brett Gardner

Speaking of Brett Gardner it’s hard to imagine him leaving the Yankees this offseason after the career year he’s put together in 2019. Gardner re-signed with the Yankees very early into last offseason for a one-year, $7.5M deal and he’s been worth every penny. Coming into this season he wasn’t expected to play nearly as much as he has in year’s past but due to all the injuries in the outfield, he’s had to.

He’s played in 139 games so far and has set a career-high with 28 HR and 73 RBI. He’s done it batting all over the lineup and this season he hasn’t hit a wall at all in the second half as he has in recent years. He’s also played his usual gold glove defense in left field and in center with Aaron Hicks on the IL.

Off the field, he continues to be one of the top veteran leaders in the clubhouse and on the field he’s the heart and soul of this Yankee team. Entering the 2019 offseason I thought there was a chance he might sign elsewhere but this winter I don’t think there’s any doubt he’ll be back. The Yankees are the only team he’s ever played for and neither he or Brian Cashman wants to see that change. Gardy still has a lot left in the tank and until he shows otherwise I expect he’ll finish off his career in pinstripes.

Prediction: Gardner re-signs for another one-year deal