Report: Yankees, Gardner discussed return

The New York Yankees and free-agent outfielder Brett Gardner spoke a little more than a week ago, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

The 37-year-old reportedly plans to play in 2021 and returning to the Yankees is his top choice.

New York is about $2.6 million below the luxury-tax threshold for next season, according to Spotrac.

However, the Yankees reportedly cleared out salary by trading reliever Adam Ottavino to the Boston Red Sox on Monday.

Gardner has spent his entire 13-year career with New York. He owns a .259/.343/.401 slash line with 129 homers, 539 RBIs, 270 stolen bases, and a World Series ring from 2009.