Baltimore Orioles: Which players are a fit for the Orioles?

Sep 23, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro (15) drives in a run with an infield single during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro (15) drives in a run with an infield single during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 27, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner (11) is congratulated in the dugout after scoring against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 27, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner (11) is congratulated in the dugout after scoring against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

NAME: Brett Gardner

CURRENT TEAM: New York Yankees

WHY: The Orioles used Adam Jones as their prototypical lead-off hitter for most of the 2016 season. While it worked then, the Orioles have to find a real lead-off hitter for the future.

Not only is Brett Gardner one of the best lead-off hitters in baseball, he’s also a left-handed outfielder, which is an added bonus.

Gardner had a 3.4 WAR in 2016 and walked away with both a Rawlings Gold Glove Award and a Wilson’s Defensive Player Award for Left Field. Gardner and the Orioles almost seems like the perfect marriage, except there’s one thing in the way; the New York Yankees.

The Yankees don’t make trades with teams in their division, and if they did it, they’re extremely minor. It’s also important to mention the Yankees want top prospects in return for Gardner, and the Orioles don’t exactly have the prospects to complete the deal.

Also, the Yankees would be interested in keeping Gardner because none of their outfield prospects are ready to take over left field.

Still, it doesn’t hurt to check in, especially since Gardner has a very team-friendly contract; he’s slated to make $12.5 Million in 2017.