Brett Gardner In Mix For White Sox?
The White Sox need a legit leadoff hitter. They need another glove in the outfield. Coco Crisp isn’t going to cut it. And Scott Podsednik? No thanks.
But Brett Gardner? Yes. Yes please.
Let’s count the ways.
- 1) He’s lefty. Check.
- 2) He’s 26. Check.
- 3) His fielding metrics, in a somewhat limited sample size, are quite good. Check.
- 4) He actually has a respectable OBP for someone that would bat leadoff. (.414 and .375 in 2008 and 2009 in Triple-A. An OK .345 in 108 games with the Yankees last year.) Check.
- 5) Has plate discipline. Check.
- 6) Is speedy and steals bases. Check.
- Isn’t an old guy Kenny Williams is trying to squeeze some life out of. Check.
According to the Sun-Times article linked above, the Royals are also after Gardner, but Brian Cashman and Kenny Williams are tight, so that could help matters. With the addition of Curtis Granderson this week and Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui still perhaps coming back to the team, there could be a logjam for spots in the outfield, and thus Gardner becomes some nice trade bait for the Yanks. And, for now, he’s going to come at a somewhat cheap price for the Sox, something they desperately need with their limited funds this offseason.
I really see little, if any, downside to the Sox pursuing Gardner. If KW can pull this one off, the Sox fill a glaring hole with someone they can have for a long time if they so choose. I like it.
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