Report: Yankees, Mariners discussing Brett Gardner trade

The New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners have had very early discussions about a trade centered around Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner.

The New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners have had very early discussions about a trade centered around Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Sherman reports that a trade is not imminent because the discussions are not yet far along, but that Gardner is a favorite target of new Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto.

The Mariners have already acquired center field prospect Boog Powell, whose play has been compared to Gardner’s, in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays this off-season.

The Yankees would be looking for a solid starting pitcher in exchange for Gardner, Sherman reports. Taijuan Walker appears to have been taken of the table by Seattle, but lefty James Paxton could be an option.

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Paxton missed much of the season with a strained finger on his pitching hand in 2015. He has a 12–8 record with a 3.16 ERA in 30 career starts.

Gardner posted a .259 batting average with 66 RBIs in 2015.