The Yankees quickly retained Brett Gardner after the 2018 season and it seems like they could strike quickly on him again.

Gardner, who is an unrestricted free agent, is in talks with the Yankees about a potential return in 2020, Jon Heyman reported on Thursday.

It would not be a surprise if a deal for Gardner got done similarly quickly to the one-year deal the Yanks agreed to with CC Sabathia during last year's GM Meetings, SNY's Andy Martino noted, calling a reunion a "no brainer."

Last offseason, the Yankees declined Gardner's option and then quickly reached a new one-year deal that paid him $7.5 million.

The 36-year-old Gardner hit .251/.325/.503 with a career-high 28 homers in 2019 while also swiping 10 bases.

Gardner was worth -2 DRS in 820 innings in center field. While it was the first season where Gardner graded out as a negative in center field, he's still a valuable asset there -- and he could get plenty of time in center in 2020 if he winds up back in the Bronx.

With Aaron Hicks having recently undergone Tommy John surgery, he will likely be out until at least mid-June.

As long as Hicks is out, the regular Yankees outfield if Gardner returns could feature Giancarlo Stanton in left field, Gardner or Mike Tauchman in center, and Aaron Judge in right.

McCARRON: Keep or trade - Here's what Yanks should do with Clint Frazier >> Read More

HARPER: 5 pitchers Yanks can target if they don't land Cole >> Read More

Popular in the Community