Yankees: 2021 Free Agent Replacements for Brett Gardner

The New York Yankees might have to replace Brett Gardner with a free agent after 2020.

After the 2020 season concludes (on, like, March 28, 2021, I assume), Brett Gardner will once again be a free agent, as he is every year. If the Yankees’ quest for glory comes up short (or if he’d rather end his career with a full season), odds are Gardner will come back on another team-friendly deal.

But, if the circumstances are different, there’s a good chance Gardy peacefully rides off into the sunset, leaving the Yankees in a bind where they must now replace his versatile production and personality void.

If the NYY find themselves needing someone else who can bang in 2021, here’s who they should call.

4. Yankees Target: Joc Pederson

The New York Yankees could target Joc Pederson after 2020.

With all of his superior lefty pop, it’s sort of a wonder the Yankees haven’t already aggressively pursued Joc Pederson. After all, he was readily available this past offseason, and was nearly dealt to the Angels before the Mookie Betts trade spiked that deal (remember the Betts trade?!).

Pederson, a 28-year-old LF who may morph into a DH type as he ages, destroyed 36 homers last year and has never hit fewer than 25 in a full season with the LAD. On top of that, he’s had averages hovering around .250…much like Gardner. Pederson’s like Gardner with decreased speed and assured pop (rather than confusing “How did he do that?” power).

We hate to judge based on his final act with the Dodgers, but it seems as if his time there is running short. Always looking for an infusion of lefty power, the Yankees can find a way to use Pederson’s bat.

3. Yankees Target: Jackie Bradley Jr.

We know, we know, but Jackie Bradley Jr. could be an excellent Brett Gardner replacement.

If you’d like to skip to the next slide, that’s OK, but an aging Jackie Bradley Jr. is almost perfectly suited to a relief role in the Bronx next summer, beyond-adequately filling in space for Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, or Aaron Hicks.

His power will almost certainly play up in the Big Ballpark in the Bronx in his age-31 season, with the ability to hook it to the short porch, and his defense is nothing short of spectacular (come on, you can admit it). Bradley’s been treated as a non-star and de-prioritized these past few years in Boston, even though his clutch hitting was more often than not a monstrous factor throughout the 2018 World Series run.

Bradley for $6 million or so on a one- or two-year deal would be perfection (he seems bound to get Brock Holt-ed during the next free agency cycle), and he could join the extended list of Sox who chose the right side when given the opportunity.

2. Yankees Target: Kiké Hernandez

The playoff spark plug known as Kiké Hernandez could be a great fit for the New York Yankees.

Kiké Hernandez, the same age as Pederson, could be subject to the same outfield logjam that’s sliced into his counterpart’s future playing time.

Hernandez hit 17 homers and knocked in 64 runs last season while finding 414 at-bats among plenty of talented hitters in likely the best offense in baseball. He’s likely best known for the 2017 NLCS against the Cubs, when he swatted a trio of homers in only nine at-bats, hitting .444 and solidly vanquishing Chicago’s repeat bid. Not bad for a waifish fourth-outfield type, huh?

Hernandez can do it all, which could be beneficial for an outfield that’s theoretically full (and with Clint Frazier lurking behind them). He’s played all three outfield positions extensively, and even found himself at third, second, and short, doing everything he could to capture playing time with LAD. Say what you will about Brett Gardner, but I’m fairly confident he wouldn’t take kindly to being penciled in at second base, and if it ever happened, it might look a lot like Jorge Posada’s famed late-game stint at the position several years back.

Additionally, for what it’s worth, Hernandez appears to be a fantastic and well-liked clubhouse guy. He’s the cheapest option on the board here, and there’s definitely a role for him to fill in the Bronx, if he so chooses.

1. Yankees Target: Michael Brantley

Michael Brantley has always been a perfect New York Yankees target.

We’re not sure why every MLB team twiddled their thumbs, allowing Michael Brantley to join the Houston Astros lineup last offseason and balance it all out, but we’d like to rectify that issue next offseason.

Brantley’s always been a perfect Yankee — steady with the bat, composed, and surprisingly powerful when he uncoils. He doesn’t provide the same versatility as Gardner, but his bat is a level above, and he’ll likely come for just as cheap a price at an advanced age (he’s turning 34 before the start of 2021).

All he does is hit and work the count, accruing a .311 average and 22 homers last season for Houston in his third straight All-Star campaign. If they splurge for Brantley, New York would be adding a true workhorse in the mold of the ’90s dynasty to their already-gilded roster.

This would be a power play for the Yankees, but if not now, when? Brantley wasn’t on the 2017 Astros, and is too beautiful for that decrepit world (thanks for coming home, Gerrit Cole). New York has a chance to undo a mistake that never should’ve happened next offseason.

Honorable Mentions

These potential targets for the 2021 New York Yankees just missed the cut.

Mookie Betts: Lol…but, like, ownership collusion might be magnified this year! You never know!

George Springer: Far more likely to be a Red Sox, but same situation. Yikes-and-a-half, this guy.

Mark Canha: The dependable A’s bat (and frequent Boston target) would be a really interesting fit here.

Jonathan Villar: More of an infielder than an outfielder if you watched him star for the Orioles last year, but he does a pretty good job of replicating Gardner’s skill set. One to watch in Miami this year. Might even be a Yankee by midseason.

Josh Reddick: Available, but NOPE.