According to a scout familiar with the situation, the Sox were one of two teams in the American League Central letting the New York Yankees know during the winter meetings this week that they covet outfielder Brett Gardner. The Kansas City Royals also were wondering what it would take to acquire the promising 26-year-old leadoff hitter.I know the Yankees have a lot of outfielders, but I really like what Brett Gardner brings to the table. The Yankees haven't had a speedster like him in a long time -- we all saw what his speed could do this year -- and he's a very good defensive outfielder.
Williams is friendly with Yankees GM Brian Cashman, and they've done deals before. He acquired Jose Contreras from the Yankees in 2004, and the Yankees acquired outfielder Nick Swisher last winter.
Williams and Cashman know each other's farm system up and down, and Williams is all too familiar with the idea that the Yankees' outfield, especially center field, got crowded with the acquisition of Curtis Granderson in a three-way trade with the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks this week.
Like I usually say when the Yankees are going to trade someone, they better get something of value. Otherwise, I'd much rather see them keep Gardner.
