During a taped interview Thursday night on YES, Hal Steinbrenner spoke glowingly of free-agent outfielder Brett Gardner, who wants to come back to the Yankees and fill the hole in center field, with Aaron Hicks not expected back from Tommy John surgery until at least June.
Yet, while the sides talk, Gardner remains unsigned.
“He checks all the boxes,’’ Steinbrenner said of the 36-year-old Gardner, who set career highs in homers (28), RBIs (74) and OPS (.829) this past season. “Offensively, defensively and leadership in the clubhouse.’’
Adding a year and $17.5 million to Aroldis Chapman’s contract was an easy decision for Steinbrenner.