Aaron Boone has Brett Gardner ‘regrets’ after Yankees split

CLEVELAND — Yankees supervisor Aaron Boone stated he hadn’t spoken to Brett Gardner since earlier than the lockout final offseason. 

“That’s one in every of my regrets this 12 months as a result of I owe that to him,’’ Boone stated earlier than Recreation 4 of the ALDS.

He blamed the weird schedule, since Boone — regardless that Gardner was a free agent on the time — was prohibited from speaking to the outfielder. 

The Yankees opted to not convey again the 39-year-old, who performed 140 video games for them in 2021, ending with a career-low .689 OPS. 

Gardner had provides from different groups in spring coaching — together with the Blue Jays — however determined to remain house.

“I assume he was all the time in play,” Boone stated. “The offseason was bizarre clearly due to the lockout and I couldn’t speak to individuals. After which hastily, it broke and free company and the whole lot occurred so fast.”

Aaron Boone (left) and Brett Gardner throughout spring coaching in 2019.

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Aaron Boone and Clay Holmes have a good time the Yankees’ ALDS Recreation 4 win.

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Gardner had spent all 14 seasons of his profession with the Yankees, and was a profession .256 hitter with 139 house runs and 274 stolen bases.