Nationals handled Zimmerman better than Yankees did Brett Gardner

When the Washington Nationals won the 2019 World Series, Ryan Zimmerman could have ended his playing career. After 15 years, the injuries were stacking up and taking longer to recuperate from. For Zimmerman and the Nationals it would have been a storybook ending. The first draft selection in team history, riding off into the sunset with the only franchise he knew sitting on top of the baseball world.

Heading into the 2020 season, Zimmerman stated he was either going to be playing baseball for the Nationals, or playing a lot more golf. The Nationals brought him back for $2M (the contract was never about money, Zimm has made over $135M in his career to this point) with the idea he would split time at first base with Eric Thames.

When the coronavirus pandemic hit, Zimmerman opted out of the season.

Entering the 2021 season there was no thought Zimmerman wouldn’t be back. The Nationals needed a full time first baseman, though also had Zimmerman in mind to backup. Josh Bell was acquired via trade in December, and Mr. National was re-signed in January. Drama free.

If only the New York Yankees and Brett Gardner would have had an agreement like the Washington Nationals and Ryan Zimmerman.

The New York Yankees find themselves in a similar predicament with outfielder Brett Gardner. Gardner has enjoyed 13 years with the Yankees, the only organization he has known since being a 3rd round pick in 2005. The former All-Star has seen a dip in his offensive production recently only complicating this process.

Presumably, the 37 year old wants to continue playing baseball, and would prefer to do so with the Yankees. Gardner has not been connected to any other teams in free agency. An aging player with declining skillset doesn’t really make sense for a lot of teams. Much like Zimmerman and the Nationals and Yadier Molina and the St. Louis Cardinals, Gardner only makes sense for the Yankees.

What is keeping Gardner from returning to the Yankees then? Well, there is no where for him to play, one. And two, he may be asking for too much money. Clint Frazier, Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks, Mike Tauchman, Greg Allen, and newly signed (albeit to a minor league contract) Jay Bruce make for a crowded outfield. The money Gardner made in 2020, was $12.5M.

Maybe internally the Yankees have told Gardy he’ll back and the two sides are working on the dollar amount. Externally, there is no indication the longest-tenured Yankee is a lock to return. By signing Bruce, the Yankees sent somewhat of a message the Gardner ship has sailed.

Seems as if Gardner is saying he can still dance, and is just waiting for the Yankees to invite him to the shindig, while the Yankees are avoiding his calls and ogling more attractive dance partners.