Yankees' Cashman: 'We'd love to have' Tanaka and Gardner back
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has been in touch with the agents of right-hander Masahiro Tanaka and outfielder Brett Gardner about potentially re-signing them, according to Brendan Kuty of NJ.com.
"Generally, we'd love to have them back," Cashman said. "(But) we'll have to see how it plays out."
The Yankees entered the offseason with several question marks as multiple key players hit free agency. Among them are Tanaka and Gardner, both of whom have spent their entire MLB careers in pinstripes.
New York has long been the biggest spender in baseball and signed ace Gerrit Cole to a whopping nine-year, $324-million contract last offseason. However, the team has been said to be more conservative and is expected to cut back on spending this winter. With the club also looking at a reunion with infielder DJ LeMahieu, it may prove difficult to re-sign all these players while operating under a strict budget.
Nevertheless, Cashman is unfazed by the potential constraints.
"I'm aware of what my directives are. I feel confident that we will again have the highest payroll, regardless. Our commitment to always fielding a tremendous team will be in tact," Cashman said, according to Kuty.
Since signing out of Japan prior to the 2014 season, Tanaka has gone 78-46 with a 3.74 ERA and 1.13 WHIP while being named to two All-Star teams across seven seasons with the Yankees.
Gardner, 37, slashed .223/.354/.392 in 49 games this past summer after he hit a career-high 28 home runs in 2019.