Brett Gardner proved he can help the Yankees down the stretch

Brad Penner-USA TODAY SportsBringing back Brett Gardner was hardly the Yankees’ biggest offseason move this winter, considering they signed arguably the best pitcher on the planet to a record deal. Yet signing Gardner to a one-year, $12.5 million deal was almost as much of a no-brainer as it was to go all-in on the pursuit of Gerrit Cole, for a number of reasons.

With Aaron Hicks on the IL to start the season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery and other lingering health concerns surrounding Giancarlo Stanton given his injury-riddled 2019 campaign, the Yankees needed outfield depth. Bringing back the longest-tenured Yankee after a career year in his age-36 season made absolute sense, and…