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Cashman: Yankees have rejected every trade involving Gardner

Robert Deutsch / USA TODAY Sports

Brian Cashman expects Brett Gardner to be in pinstripes come Opening Day.

After saying the Yankees were "99 percent likely" to begin spring training with the roster as is, New York's GM stayed consistent, saying he's rejected every trade presented to him involving Gardner, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.

Gardner was selected by the Yankees in the third round of the 2005 MLB Draft, making it to the big leagues three years later and playing his entire nine-year career with the organization.

Over that time, Garner has been a staple in the outfield, registering 218 stolen bases - sixth in club history - while posting a .264/.346/.388 slash line.

In 2016 he was a Gold Glove recipient for the first time in his career, a year after being named to his first All-Star Game.

The 33-year-old is in the middle of a four-year, $52-million contract that's set to expire following the 2018 season, though the club can exercise a $12.5-million team option for 2019.

While the Yankees have always been known as a veteran team with veteran players, the organization has clearly changed its direction.

Coming into the 2016 season, MLB.com failed to rank the Yankees in the top 10 best farm systems.

That was in March.

Nine months later, the Yankees are pegged as "the best and deepest farm system in the game - and also the most improved over the past 12 months," according to MLB.com's Jim Callis.

So, while Gardner has proven to be a serviceable outfielder in a small Yankee Stadium, the team around him - with the exception of Jacoby Ellsbury - is getting younger.

Aaron Judge (24) is in right field, Rob Refsnyder (25) is the fourth outfielder, Gary Sanchez (24) is the starting catcher, and top prospects Clint Frazier (22) and Gleyber Torres (20) are among a slew of youngsters who should crack the majors in the next season or two.

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