Gardner made it known on a Zoom call on Monday that he wants to go to the World Series for the first time since 2009, and he sees similarities between the ’09 club and this year’s club.
Gardner, 37, loves the pitching additions the Yankees made before the start of the season. Right-hander Corey Kluber is expected to pitch the second game of the season against the Blue Jays and right-hander Jameson Taillon has recovered from Tommy John surgery and is expected to be a major contributor to the rotation.
Gardner loves New York’s depth, too. With Voit out of commission for now, Jay Bruce will play first base and add power to the lineup. The Yankees start the regular season at 1:05 p.m. ET Thursday against the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.
“We have been short the last few years, but I do feel like we have a really good team,” Gardner said. “I like our chances. Just take one day at a time. Get guys healthy and let’s see where this takes us. I expect this to be a fun year.”
Gardner is expected to be a major contributor off the bench. He finished 9-for-31 (.290) this spring and said his body is in a good place and his swing is coming along.
“I knew what the situation was. I knew the personnel coming in. For me, I will just go out there and continue to work, continue to try,” Gardner said. “I will find ways to get better, push my team. … Everybody knows I want to be out there and I want to play, whether it’s Opening Day or Game 2 or Game 3. I feel I’m in a good position to be ready for whatever I’m asked to do. I’m excited to see where the season takes us and [to] have a lot of fun.”