Yankees’ Gardner Sets Sights on Bigger Role | IXGAMES

Brett Gardner bared to reporters from the New York Daily News and The Associated Press his plans of proving that he can be an everyday outfielder for the New York Yankees. During a short meeting with reporters upon arrival at the club’s Minor League complex in Tampa, Fla., he revealed what he was up to during the winter. Winter training The 26-year-old has been working out at a hitting facility near his South Carolina home all throughout the winter, improving on his ability to lay down bunts consistently. According to the Daily News, Gardner said that hitting off with a pitching machine has worked well. With the machine, it was easy to bunt fifty to a hundred balls in twenty minutes. The Yankee center fielder hopes that his successful workouts will show in his performance in the field. “Now it’s just a matter of being comfortable enough with it not to be scared to do it in a game and have confidence that I’m going to put it where I want it. Not only can it be a tool to get on base, but it keeps defenses honest and can bring the corners in and maybe I can shoot some balls by them,” Gardner explains. Now, the second set of his workout is underway as he continues to practice. He is one of the early arrivals in camp. The Yankee’s position player report date is still on Feb 23. Gardner seems to know well his position in the team. He is set to challenge Randy Winn and Marcus Thames for playing time, as well as proving that he deserves to be in the Opening Day outfield for the Yankees this April 4. Yankees Manager Joe Girardi said that the outfield setup of Gardner, Granderson, and Nick Swisher is interchangeable, with Swisher in the right field most of the time. This leaves Gardner taking the same position as Granderson, an All-Star center fielder last year. Curtis Granderson was acquired from the Tigers in December. The original plan was to have him play in center field. But as Melky Cabrera was shipped to the Braves as part of a deal for right-hander Javier Vazquez, there is a huge chance that plans will change. Spring training While all these are still up in the air, Gardner is doing a wait and see approach while training. He plans to just continue on with the Spring Training, do the best he can, and be as healthy as he can be. He also also added that this is not something he’s worried about. He’s expecting to have a good spring training and do well enough to be considered a very flexible player. Last season, Gardner hit .270 with three home runs, 26 stolen bases, and 23 RBIs in 108 games for the Yankees.