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

The Yankees may not pick up Brett Gardner’s option, which means they’ll have to find another outfielder.

With what feels like self-imposed budgetary restrictions on the way that will dictate how the New York Yankees operate this offseason, we have to talk about the potential departure of Brett Gardner, who has a $10 million team option (with a $2.5 million buyout) for the 2021 campaign.

Fans for certain want the veteran back in the outfield mix next year, but at this point it feels like nothing is guaranteed. And if that’s the case, then the Yankees could very well buy him out and then spend another $3-$5 million on another outfielder to save some dough. Either that, or they could get their hands on somebody who is a little bit pricier on a multi-year deal but will move the needle for the lineup.

If this is the route general manager Brian Cashman and Co. opt to go, here are some intriguing options for the Yankees to consider when free agency begins.

3. Kevin Pillar

Kevin Pillar could be a great cost-effective option for the Yankees.

The Boston Red Sox signed Kevin Pillar this past offseason and Yankees fans were positive he was going to immediately turn into an immediate thorn in our side and haunt New York by tracking down fly ball after fly ball in the gap and at the warning track. But instead, Boston went ahead and traded Pillar to the Colorado Rockies ahead of the deadline.

And he enjoyed a solid year, hitting .288 with a .798 OPS across 54 games. Though his WAR didn’t reflect anything of note, it’s clear Pillar can still play well on both sides of the ball. He’s a reliable defender and a contact bat, and there’s no doubt he’ll come at a cheap price after landing a one-year, $4.25 million deal for the 2020 season.

Though Pillar is primarily a center fielder and has much less experience in the corner spots, he would be a defensive upgrade over Gardner and help put the ball in play at the bottom of the lineup. We’d much rather have Gardner, but if the Yankees are bargain hunting, Pillar could be among those at the top of their wish list.

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.