The New York Yankees flamed out of the 2021 MLB postseason after getting wrecked by the Boston Red Sox in a 6-2 American League wild-card game loss at Fenway Park on Tuesday. The Yankees crashing and burning against their fiercest rival and despite a luxurious payroll only add fuel to an offseason that's going to have them answering plenty of questions, including whether the team's future would still include veteran outfielder Brett Gardner — at least until the end of the 2022 MLB season.
Even Gardner doesn't seem to have a clear idea of his outlook with the Yankees when he spoke about it following the loss to the Red Sox, per Marly Rivera of ESPN.
Brett Gardner on whether he believes he played his last game with the Yankees: “I hope not. I hope I am back next season.”
If that is indeed Gardner's final game in Yankees pinstripes, then he went out with a forgettable 0-of-3 performance at the plate, with each at-bat resulting in a strikeout. That's actually what Gardner's 2021 season had been in a nutshell. He finished the campaign with a triple slash line of .222/.327/.362, an 90 OPS+, and 93 wRC+.
It's possible that Gardner, 38, can return to the Yankees for at least one more season, though. He can pick up his player option with the team that's worth $2.3 million. If he declines it, the Yankees can have a club option on him worth $7.15 million with a $1.15 buyout option as well.
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