Yankees Pick Up Britton’s Option; Decline Options for Gardner, Happ
The Offseason begins in the Bronx.
To begin the offseason, the Yankees made contractual decisions on three key veteran players.
After 13 seasons in pinstripes, Brett Gardner will hit free agency. The Bronx Bombers declined Gardner’s contract option, meaning the team owes the left fielder $2.5 million to buyout the 2021 season. The Yankees and Gardner were in a similar situation last offseason, when the team declined Gardner’s option with a $2 million buyout. Negotiations continued and they ultimately agreed on $10 million for the 2020 season. The decision to bring Gardner back could be made more difficult this offseason, as young outfielder Clint Frazier became a Gold Glove finalist while hitting to the tune of a 149 OPS+. If Gardner were to accept a back-up role as the Yankees’ fourth outfielder, that could solve some depth chart issues. However, the amount that the organization is willing to commit towards payroll remains unknown. If Gardner is going to cost the Yankees $8 million for the 2021 season, the team may decide to spend that money on a player that will play a larger role.
The Yankees did commit to spending on Zack Britton. The club exercised its two-year, $27 million option on the lefthanded reliever. Britton has been nothing short of fantastic with the Yankees, as he posted a 2.14 ERA and allowed only 5 home runs in his two and a half years. His signature sinker is often described as a “bowling ball” that keeps the ball in the ballpark. Limiting the home run has become of utmost importance to MLB teams, so it makes sense that New York wants Britton to stay.
J.A. Happ also spent two and a half years with the Yankees, but likely won’t be adding to that total. The Yankees have sent Happ into free agency by declining his option. Happ was primarily used as a starting pitcher for the Yanks, but was infamously used as the “bulk reliever” in Game 2 of this year’s ALDS.
The Yankees will move into the free agency period with some familiar faces on the open market.