3 replacements for Brett Gardner if his team option isn’t picked up

2. Nick Markakis

The Yankees could use a lefty bat in Nick Markakis.

A corner outfielder who plays solid defense, hits for average, and is a lefty? That would be former Baltimore Oriole Nick Markakis, who will be a free agenct again after another year with the Atlanta Braves.

You very much remember Markakis during his days with the O’s. The man is as durable as they come (he’s only played in fewer than 147 games in a single season just once across his 15-year career) and he has plenty of experience on winning teams. On top of that, he’s hit .288 with a .781 OPS for his career. That’ll play near the bottom of the Bombers’ lineup.

His nine years of experience in the AL East will help out a lot too. New York figures to be doing battle with the Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays for years to come, and we know the Red Sox and Orioles always give the Yanks trouble no matter how bad they are. Give us another guy who will be in familiar territory with these opponents.

Though Markakis is getting up there in age (2021 will be his age-37 campaign), he’s proven to benefit from a stacked offense around him. He’s hit .283 with the Braves over the last six seasons and was an All-Star, Gold Glover and Silver Slugger in 2018. There’s plenty of gas left in the tank, and he’d likely be even better in a reduced role instead of having to grind through 150-plus games.

All the man needs is a World Series ring to cap off his very successful MLB career. The Yankees give him a good chance to do that.

1. Joc Pederson

The Yankees could stand to benefit a ton from adding Joc Pederson.

Yup, we’ve already talked about this, but here we are again. Joc Pederson likely falls under the “multi-year, higher-priced but will move the needle” category in this free agency game show, but it’d 100% be worth it for the Yankees to invest.

He’s not a contact bat and he’s not a Gold Glover, but the man performs on the big stage, is totally fine platooning, and has incredible power to all parts of the field. The short porch in Yankee Stadium will almost seem like a cheat code if he comes to New York.

Pederson has been a fixture in this Dodger lineup for quite some time, having been exposed to playoff action since 2015. The 28-year-old is slashing .272/.345/.503 with 25 runs scored, nine home runs and 20 RBI in 63 career postseason games, most of which he served as a part-time player. He produces when he’s called upon. Plain and simple.

That’s a trait the Yankees are desperate for considering we’ve seen the offense go radio silent in October, and for reasons unknown. Pederson has the energy and confidence to pick up his team when they’re not performing, or he’s a luxury that will pile it on the opponent when the offense is humming. Having him as the team’s fourth outfielder almost seems unfair.

Look what the Dodgers are doing! They have Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts and AJ Pollock as the starters and unleash Pederson where they see fit. Sure, Pederson might want an extended role, but throw him into the mix with Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks and Clint Frazier, and this unit won’t miss a beat, even if they do suffer an injury.

Just something to think about.

Yankees: 4 former rivals NYY should sign this offseason

The New York Yankees are going to be hunting for reinforcements this offseason, and should sign a few of their ex-rivals in free agency.