Yes, the New York Yankees need a left fielder.
No, it won’t be Brett Gardner.
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The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty reports the Yankees have re-assigned his locker for spring training in Tampa, Fla.
For years, Brett Gardner held the second-best location — the back-right corner, opposite of (Aaron) Judge. His locker was vacant last year as the Yankees kept open the possibility of resuming his 14-year career with the team. But this year, his spot has been given to Aaron Hicks.
Gardner went unsigned in 2022, but popped up on the radar every now and then as the Yankees struggled with outfield injuries.
The 39-year-old last suited up in 2021, playing 140 games and hitting a career-worst .222.
Gardner, who was the last remaining active player from the Yankees’ 2009 World Series team, had a track record for success over his 14-year MLB career, which included an All-Star selection in 2015 and Gold Glove Award in 2016.
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As for Hicks, he’s hoping to bounce back from an underwhelming 2022 season and win the starting job in left field. The 33-year-old hit .216 with eight home runs in 130 games last season.
Oswaldo Cabrera is the other top in-house candidate, although general manager Brian Cashman continues to be linked to players on the trade and free agent markets, including Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds.
One other locker room note from Kuty. He reports the back-left corner, previously occupied by reliever Aroldis Chapman, now with the Kansas City Royals, has been handed down to Luis Severino, who is the second-longest tenured Yankee behind catcher Kyle Higashioka.
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.