:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24692031/20130809_ajl_ag9_473.0.jpg)
The Yankees now have six outfielders: Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Alfonso Soriano, Ichiro Suzuki, Vernon Wells, and Brett Gardner. Since signing Beltran and Ellsbury, they have also been eyeing Shin-Soo Choo and now teams are calling about Gardner.
The Yankees still need to replace Robinson Cano at second base and need at least one more pitcher after re-signing Hiroki Kuroda. If they look into trading Gardner to fill one of these needs, who could they trade him to and what could they get in return?
Trade Gardner to the Angels for Howie Kendrick: The Angels are said to be looking for pitching, so the Yankees could also include a pitcher and pay for most of the $20 million he has left over the next two years. They would likely have to part with David Phelps or Adam Warren if this happens.
Trade Gardner to the Braves for Brandon Beachy: This is highly unlikely, but the Braves might want a productive speedy outfielder to offset B.J. Upton. Beachy has struggled to return from Tommy John surgery, but he has the potential to be a very good pitcher if he can recover. Trading for Dan Uggla would probably be more realistic, but the Yankees reportedly have no interest in taking on $26 million over the next two years for the struggling second baseman.
Trade Gardner to the Brewers for Yovani Gallardo: If the Yankees include some kind of prospect as well, they could take Milwaukee's former ace off their hands. He is owed $11.2 million this season and has a $13 million option for 2015, so the Yankees could have a young innings eater for the next two seasons.
Trade Gardner to the Cardinals for Jaime Garcia: This is highly unlikely, considering St. Louis just traded for Peter Bourjos, but if they've soured on Jon Jay, they could like Gardner in his place. The Cardinals have a plethora of young pitching, so it would make sense for them to want to rid themselves of Garcia, who will begin to get expensive through 2015, but could also be a Yankee through 2017, thanks to $23 million in options. Unfortunately, he had shoulder surgery last season, so it could be a deal breaker.
Trade Gardner to the Nationals for Danny Espinosa or Ross Detwiler: The Nats have a full outfield with Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth, and Denard Span, but they could use Gardner as a fourth outfielder. Danny Espinosa may have lost his starting spot to Anthony Ranaudo, though he is under team control until 2017. Detwiler could prove to be a solid fourth starter for the Yankees through 2016.
Trade Gardner to the Rangers for Nick Tepesch: The Rangers need some outfield depth, so they could give up Tepesch after a mediocre rookie season. He is not yet arbitration eligible, but the Rangers already have a full rotation, so they could deem it a necessary tradeoff.
Trade Gardner to the Reds for Brandon Phillips or Homer Bailey: The Reds have wanted to get rid of Phillips for awhile now, so it might not take much for the Yankees to get the 34-year-old Phillips, who is due $50 million through 2017. Bailey will be a free agent next season, so it could make sense to swap the two since the Reds need a center fielder.
This is all just hypothetical ramblings now, but offseason action has moved fast so far, so things could escalate quickly. Who do you think the Yankees will want for Gardner? Should they even trade him at all?
