Going into spring training, two facts were abundantly clear. First, despite Clint Frazier being named the definitive starter in left field, the Yankees wanted Brett Gardner to serve as the team’s fourth outfielder and primary backup center fielder. Second, Brett Gardner wanted to continue his career in pinstripes. Despite the mutual interest, it took until last Friday, the third day of spring training, for the move to be made.
So, with both sides appearing to want the exact same thing, the question is obvious: what took so long? The answer, it turns out, is equally obvious: money.