Part 2/12:
Breaching the Spirit of Youth: Brett Gardner's Last Contract
One contentious decision was resigning veteran outfielder Brett Gardner ahead of the 2021 season for one more year. The critics argue Gardner was past his prime and no longer effective, suggesting the team’s reluctance to let go of beloved veterans what hampers their long-term competitiveness. The former player was "cooked," and, despite his leadership, this move exemplified the Yankees' struggle to part ways with aging players, perhaps due to emotional attachments.