The New York Yankees are heading into the latter stages of the winter meetings looking to add another pitcher and a second baseman and reports are coming out that the Cincinnati Reds are interested in acquiring Brett Gardner and the two teams could get dealin, as the Yankees could use someone like Brandon Phillips or Homer Bailey on the roster.
Gardner has been mentioned in trade rumors since the Yanks signed Jacoby Ellsbury and there are a number of reasons why he is on the block, even though the Yanks aren't actively shopping him, as he has high value now for his age and on top of that, he is really the only trade chip the team has. According to Hardball Talk, the Reds are interested in Gardner due to the fact that they are likely losing Shin-Soo Choo to a big free agent deal and Gardner could be a cheaper option. The NY Post reported the interest first from the Reds and there is a chance that Homer Bailey could move in a deal, as could Brandon Phillips, as the Yankees are in the market for both a second baseman and a starting pitcher.
The Yankees obviously need a second baseman after Robinson Cano signed with the Mariners and Phillips would be a natural fit, but he costs quite a bit with over $50 million and the Reds have said that they aren't trading him. General manager Walt Jocketty said that the team is not shopping Phillips or Bailey, but that could change if the Yankees are willing to to give up more for one of those players and the Reds could save money by moving Phillips and also by avoiding having to sign Bailey to an extension. The Yankees would love to get one of those two players and while it is unlikely that they will ship just Gardner for one of those players, but with Omar Infante asking for a lot of money at $8 million over multiple years, they may have to figure something else out.
The Yanks signed Brian McCann, Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran so far this offseason and Brian Cashman is planning on making more moves and Gardner played in 145 games and hit .273 with eight home runs. The Yankees signed Kelly Johnson and right now he is the top option to be the second baseman, while a report from Hardball Talk said the team was also interested in Mariners outfielder/2b Dustin Ackley. The M's have Robinson Cano there for a decade and over $200 million, so unless they move Ackley to the outfield permanently, they likely will move him. The Mariners also acquired Logan Morrison, so yeah, that's possible, as is Nick Franklin, another young star who got some experience last year. The Reds and Yankees could be dealing, an eye will be kept on this one.
