Tigers, Yankees Talk Gardner, Austin Jackson Swap

The New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers have recently spoken about an Austin Jackson for Brett Gardner swap bringing A Jax back to the Bronx. Not quite sure why this makes sense for the Tigers as Jackson is two years away from free agency and is projected to make $5.3 million in 2014 while Gardner is in his free agent walk year and is making $4 million this season.

The only thing that could make sense for the Tigers is if they think they cannot resign or extend Jackson and feel better about those prospects with Gardner. I cannot see how they could feel like that when they haven't spoken to Gardner but their mistake could benefit the Yankees. Jackson is 27 years old and is widely considered to be one of the better leadoff men in all of baseball while playing a great center field. Gardner is 29 years old and is also considered to be a great leadoff man that takes a ton of pitches and plays a fantastic defense in center and in left.

This, to me anyway, seems like a trade that makes us spend a little more money but allows us to turn back the block and get one or two more seasons of Brett Gardner, just with Austin Jackson on his baseball card. Gardner is the better base stealer but Jackson has more doubles and gap power and they have very comparable batting lines, defensive metrics, and overall numbers. The problem is I don't think the Yankees move Gardner for a comparable player, they move him for a need or keep him, so I don't see a deal happening.