Thursday, December 15, 2016

Brett Gardner, San Francisco Giants & the Trade Rumor That Just Won’t Go Away

So earlier on the blog, if you were paying attention anyway, you saw that the New York Yankees are “tapped out” according to reports and if any deals are to be made for the remainder of this winter that the team would have to clear out some payroll first so sticking with that as a theme here is an idea that involves the Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner and a potential trade partner. The San Francisco Giants seemingly love the Brett Gardner type, speedy outfielder that plays defense and can hit at the top of the order, and they may be the best and most logical fit for a trade if a trade were to go down so who would the Yankees be interested in and could both teams make it happen?

Now while Gardner is not going to be the teams saving grace when it comes to payroll he is owed $12.5 million in 2017, $11.5 million in 2018 and the team has an option on the left fielder worth $12.5 million for the 2019 season with a $2 million buyout option. That’s not nothing so they say, although I hate to use the double negative here on the blog. That’s not much to the Yankees in the grand scheme of things but that also works both ways, it’s presumably not much to the San Francisco Giants either who are in “win now” mode after signing Mark Melancon to a free agent deal.

The Giants everyday left fielder Angel Pagan is officially a free agent causing the team to, as it stands today of course, to go with either Mac Williamson or Jarrett Parker in the spacious left field grass at AT&T Park in San Francisco. If the Giants are truly desperate to win in 2017, and they should be as every year that passes is another year off of Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner’s prime while Johnny Cueto can opt-out of his deal after this season if he so chooses, the team might be willing to part with a few intriguing prospects for Gardner.

I don’t pretend to be all-knowing in terms of anyone else’s farm system but from a quick look at’s top Giants prospects list the names Chris Shaw (left-handed power-hitting first baseman) quickly stood out from above the rest. Obviously Christian Arroyo, an infielder and the Giants top prospect, did as well but you are definitely not fetching him for Gardner in my opinion. Not alone anyway.

The deal makes sense for both sides. Gardner’s gap power, speed and defense would fit the Giants roster well while the prospects the Giants would presumably send back would fit in with the Yankees newly found austerity and youth movement. So what are you waiting for? Make the deal already. 


  1. FOR HEAVENS SAKE ! Is not this team reloading, or what ?

    Such an abundance of young talent, and they are being stonewalled.

    Sure, a few are a bit young, in terms of age only, so what ?
    I'd rather their last bit of seasoning take place in the Bronks.
    Turn them lose. They do it with many of the young bullpen pitchers anyway.

    I hope Gardner, whom I like, goes to the Giants.
    I hope Headley, whom I like also, is packaged with some young prospect
    or two....for a young arm. My arm, no forget that one.
    That will give two young players there chance.

    That will eliminate $24-25 million in salary. Mgmt...Big smiles !
    Why is that so freak'in important to a $3+ billion team anyway?

    Clean the slate completely.

    1. patrick, how is everything with you and your lovely Anna?
      Getting under the cap frees up big time money without having to pay for being over the cap we only need to get under for one year.

    2. KEN....All is well with Anne, and myself.
      I know all of what the cap is. But, this is an issue for the
      largest money maker in baseball ?
      Stay well...West New Yorker.

    3. I know you understand the Cap, patrick, I was just pointing out it is very important that we get under the cap. If we don't, HAL will not turn over money for the players that can be gotten for 2018.

      $3+ billion and we can't spend a few $$$$ for a good #1/2 pitcher? I don't like it but they are the guys in control of the, let's get under the cap!


Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)