If it was surprising that Brett Gardner was re-signed to join the 2021 New York Yankees, it was because there seemed to be an obvious dearth in playing time for the old veteran. Clint Frazier, Aaron Hicks, and Aaron Judge were expected to be the starting outfielders virtually every day. Yet Frazier and Hicks were ineffective and lost for the season early on, essentially making Gardner a starter.
Though he had his moments in 2021, it’s a role that he’s not really fit for anymore, considering his age and the availability of other, more talented outfielders.