NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — While the final stages of the Aroldis Chapman sweepstakes played out Wednesday night, it wouldn’t be a winter meetings if Brett Gardner’s name didn’t surface in a trade discussion.
It wasn’t believed to be something that would carry the Yankees left fielder to Cleveland or Baltimore.
“Not really,’’ was the way it was described by a person in the know when asked if the talks between the Indians and Yankees could be classified as serious.
The Indians also were in negotiations with free-agent outfielder Mark Trumbo, whom the Rockies talked with about a four-year deal worth $70 million that wasn’t good enough to land the right-handed slugger.
While GM Brian Cashman said, “I’m not afraid to trade with anybody’’ in regards to dealing with an AL East club, he also said, “I love Gardy. I am a big fan of Gardy.’’
Unless the Yankees are blown away by a package that would likely have to include young power arms — which the Yankees have long been addicted to — moving the 33-year-old Gardner is dicey.
First, he is an everyday player who leads off, has two years and $26 million remaining on a reasonable contract and has averaged 148 games in the previous four seasons.
Second, without Gardner, Aaron Hicks likely would be the everyday left fielder coming off a horrific first season in the Bronx in which he batted .217 in 123 games with eight homers, 31 RBIs, a .281 on-base percentage and a .617 OPS.
Gardner, a career .264 hitter, batted .261 and had a .351 on-base percentage last year. He also won a Gold Glove.
A team willing to take a big chance on a young catcher who has been set back by right-shoulder problems might have their eyes on Luis Torrens in Thursday’s Rule 5 draft.
Torrens, 20, missed all of 2015 with a shoulder problem and appeared in 52 games this past year for Staten Island (Short-Season A) and Charleston (Low-A) and batted .250. He is currently on the Triple-A roster.
In 135 career minor league games, Torrens has thrown out 41 percent of runners attempting to steal bases.
The shoulder issue, lack of experience and the $100,000 claim fee are detriments to the Venezuela native being taken.
Outfielder Jake Cave, who was taken in last year’s Rule 5 draft by the Reds and returned to the Yankees, is also eligible to be selected again this year.
Matt Holliday being officially added to the Yankees’ roster Wednesday put them at the 40-man limit. If it stays that way Thursday, they won’t have room to make a pick in the Rule 5 draft.
Additional reporting by Ken Davidoff and Joel Sherman