"The Yankees and left fielder Brett Gardner avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract on Friday. Gardner, who tied Coco Crisp for the AL lead with 49 stolen bases last season, will reportedly get $2.8 million in 2012.

Gardner earned approximately $530,000 last season, when he batted .259 with seven home runs, 36 RBI, 87 runs scored and a .345 on-base percentage.

When arbitration figures were due, he sought a $3.2 million salary this coming season and the Yankees countered with $2.4 million.

In a postseason marked by the Bombers failures at the plate in a five-game division series loss to the Tigers, Gardner was a bright spot. He hit .412 and drove in five runs, second only to Robinson Cano's nine."