As a way to create and add flexibility to their roster, the New York Yankees might consider trading Brett Gardner this offseason.

As the roster currently stands, the Yankees would open the 2016 season with an outfield of Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran. Alex Rodriguez would monopolize the team's at-bats at designated hitter.

Gardner was an All-Star over the first half of the season, but slumped badly from late July on. He was likely hampered by injuries in the second half. He had a .561 OPS after July 29 and essentially stopped trying to steal bases from June 12 and to August 11.

Brian Cashman said after the season that the Yankees need to get their "dynamic duo" of Gardner and Ellsbury firing on all cylinders again, but that doesn't mean a trade won't be explored.

Gardner is heading into the second year of a four-year, $52 million deal.