New York Yankees: Logic in Keeping Gardner and Headley
Trade rumors have swirled around Brett Gardner and Chase Headley for a while now, but it might make sense for the New York Yankees to hold on to the veterans.
With the New York Yankees youth movement chugging along, fans have come to expect the imminent departures of virtually every long-tenured veteran on the team. Catcher Brian McCann was traded to the Astros last month, and it might seem like it’s only a matter of time before names like Brett Gardner and Chase Headley are moved as well.
While the Yanks suddenly have a crop of enticing young prospects in their farm system that some are already penciling into the lineup sooner rather than later, it’s important to recognize that this is still a multi-year process. As a result, don’t be surprised if both Gardner and Headley are still with the team on Opening Day 2017.
Gardner’s production declined noticeably last season, but he remains a useful piece for the Yankees on a reasonable contract. The outfielder is signed for two more seasons and $24 million; he also has a $12.5 million team option for 2019 with a $2 million buyout. In an ever-inflating market, Gardner is still not a bad value at those numbers, especially if he can bounce back somewhat from this year’s underwhelming campaign.
Gardner slashed .261/.351/.362 in 2016, representing a .029 drop in OPS from the previous season. That was due mainly to a dip in slugging ability, though. Gardner’s batting average and on-base percentage were both up from .259 and .343, respectively, the year before. While never a legitimate power hitter, he managed just seven home runs last season after swatting a combined 33 over the prior two campaigns. The lefty seemed unable to turn on pitches and send them into Yankee Stadium’s short right field porch like he has in the past.
Speed, once Gardner’s calling card, has become an decreasingly prominent element of his game. He swiped only 16 bags this year, miles down from a career high of 49 in 2011 and his lowest total in any season in which he played at least 100 games. Now 33 years old, it’s not unreasonable to believe he’s lost a step, but the disappearing adventurousness on the base paths could also be due to a lingering team philosophy. Yankees base runners often seem content to stay put and hope for the big bats to drive them in, even as those big bats have dwindled in recent years.
Gardner still brings a sure glove to the outfield, rating at 12 defensive runs saved (DRS) and 5.8 UZR/150 in 2016. Overall, he remains a fairly consistent contributor; he posted a 3.4 bWAR this year and has averaged a 3.8 over the past four seasons. Even though he’ll be turning 34 next August, there are plenty of teams that could make use of Brett Gardner.
One of those clubs is the one he’s currently on. Yankees fans are eager to see Clint Frazier, and for good reason. But it’s important to note that a midseason call-up is by no means a guarantee. He slashed .228/.278/.396 in 25 games for New York’s Triple-A squad after his trade from Cleveland, meaning he’ll have to post more convincing numbers before being considered for a big league promotion.
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The rest of the Yankees outfield situation has its question marks as well. Will Aaron Judge adjust to the majors and cut down on his strikeouts? Will Aaron Hicks justify the confidence general manager Brian Cashman continues to place in him? Will Jacoby Ellsbury finally become more of a factor in the Yankees lineup? With all these uncertainties, having a Brett Gardner around isn’t the worst thing in the world.
As for Chase Headley, Cashman downplayed the trade talk at the close of the Winter Meetings. Joel Sherman of the New York Post has a few ideas why it makes more sense for the Yanks to also hold off on dealing the third baseman. For one thing, the two years and $26 million remaining on his deal likely make him a tougher sell.
There also aren’t many clear replacement options. Ronald Torreyes has impressed in small doses, but he’s not quite starting material. Top third base prospect Miguel Andujar is still a ways down the road. The Yankees have shown some interest in free agent Luis Valbuena, but that’s not a sure thing. The team probably won’t dip into the prospect well to trade for Todd Frazier either.
Though he’s taken a lot of flack in New York, Headley actually rebounded this year after a poor 2015. He put up a .253/.331/.385 slash, marking a .023 uptick in OPS. He also hit three more homers in 16 fewer games. His defense returned to normal after an uncharacteristically poor showing the season before. All told, his 2.6 bWAR this year was a sharp improvement over the 1.1 mark he managed in 2015.
No one is expecting Headley (or Gardner, for that matter) to set the world on fire in 2017. But in a “competitive rebuild” like the one the Yankees are attempting, they’re the kinds of players who can help you keep the ship on course. If Brian Cashman receives an offer for either that he really likes, he probably won’t hesitate to pull the trigger. However, that’s looking less likely as the offseason progresses.
