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Gardner intends to play during the 2022 campaign, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
The Yankees declined Gardner's contract option in early November, and the 38-year-old wasn't able to land another deal prior to the lockout. Gardner's agent said that the outfielder hopes to remain with the Yankees in 2022, but he'd also consider signing with another team. Gardner appeared in 140 games last year and slashed .222/.327/.362 with 10 homers, 47 runs, 39 RBI and four stolen bases.
Gardner's option for the 2022 season was declined Thursday, and he is now a free agent.
Gardner had both a player and club option to remain with the Yankees next season, though both were turned down. The player option was worth $2.3 million, so Gardner likely either believes he could earn more in free agency, or he may be contemplating retirement. Gardner hit only .222/.327/.362 across 461 plate appearances in 2021 and would be entering his age-38 season in 2022.
Gardner went 1-for-3 with a double and a stolen base in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Red Sox. He also drew a walk.
Gardner stroked a two-out double in the sixth inning, then he walked and stole second base (his fourth of the year) in the eighth before coming around to score on Giancarlo Stanton's grand slam. The veteran outfielder is riding a modest four-game hitting streak, going 5-for-14 (.357) with three walks during that time.
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Yankees' Brett Gardner: Knocks three-run blast
Rotowire
Gardner went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk in Friday's 8-0 win over Cleveland.
The blast Friday was Gardner's third in 14 games in September. The outfielder is up to nine homers, 36 RBI, 45 runs scored and three stolen bases while slashing .225/.335/.364 across 408 plate appearances. He's seen a regular role, starting all but one of the Yankees' last 12 contests, and he's batting .298 (14-for-47) this month.
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Yankees' Brett Gardner: Collects three hits
Rotowire
Gardner went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run in Wednesday's victory over the Orioles.
The 38-year-old drove in two runs on a single in the top of the ninth, allowing the Yankees to take the lead. The multi-hit effort was his third in his last five starts, and he's collected eight hits in 19 at-bats in those contests. Gardner has struggled to provide any extra-base power this year while posting a .360 SLG, his worst since his rookie season in 2008.
Gardner will sit for the second time in three days as the Yankees bring in all their big bats. Luke Voit starts as the designated hitter, pushing Giancarlo Stanton to left field, Joey Gallo to right and Aaron Judge to Gardner's usual spot in center.
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Yankees' Brett Gardner: Playing time picks up
Rotowire
Gardner will start in center field and bat second Monday against the Twins.
Making his seventh start in eight games, Gardner appears to have won out over Luke Voit in their battle for one spot in New York's everyday lineup. Voit will crack the lineup Monday at first base in place of a resting Anthony Rizzo and will slot in at designated hitter when the Yankees want to put all of their best power bats in the lineup, but Gardner gives the team a better defensive outfield and helps minimize potential injury risk to Giancarlo Stanton. Moreover, Gardner has emerged as one of the team's better hitters amid its sluggish start to September; he's slashing .281/.324/.531 through the Yankees' first 11 games of the month.
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