Yankees and Brett Gardner agree to one-year deal with options for 2022

Brett Gardner is here to stay.

Sources tell SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino that the Yankees and Gardner have reached a deal on a one-year contract worth $4 million with club and team options for 2022.

Martino notes that setting up the contract as a one-year deal with an option actually lowers the luxury tax number for the Yankees, which made it preferable to a straight one-year deal.

A 13-year veteran, Gardner reached free agency last offseason before ultimately signing back with the Yankees on a one-year deal worth $12.5 million.

And even if Clint Frazier is the Bombers' everyday left fielder as Aaron Boone recently stated, having Gardner would give the Yankees a great insurance policy and fourth outfielder, along with a needed left-handed bat. Having both Gardner and Mike Tauchman could give the Yankees a lot of flexibility with their outfield depth.

Gardner slashed just .223/.354/.392 in 2020, but he was called upon to start 34 games with Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks, and Giancarlo Stanton dealing with a bevy of injuries. He also racked up a 1.079 OPS in the postseason.

Since the price is right, Gardner landing back with the Yankees once again seems to be an ideal pairing.