Brett Gardner, Yankees agree on four-year extension

The Yankees and Brett Gardner have agreed on a 4-year, $52 million extension on Sunday. Brian Cashman confirmed the agreement, but noted that some details still have to be worked out. This deal also comes with an option for 2019, with a buyout.

Gardner is going on his 7th year with the Yankees and has been a consistent player since being brought up. When he is healthy, he usually hits around .270 and steals 35 or more bases. He is known to be an automatic steal threat when he reaches base. Gardner also can always seem to find a gap too, which results in a lot of doubles (33 in 2013) and triples (10 in 2013).

The Yankees believe that Brett Gardner has a very similar skill set as Jacoby Ellsbury, who they just locked up for $152 million over 7-years.

Just moments after the news went public, Gardner commented by saying "There's no where else i want to play."

Andrew Bailey News and Notes: 2/23

After acquiring Andrew Bailey yesterday, there has been much discussion about how and when Bailey can help the Yankees this season. Lets take a look:

• Joe Girardi told reporters today that he "doesn't expect much" for Bailey this year as he is recovering from shoulder surgery. 
• Girardi hopes that Bailey can provide some late-inning relief help when he's ready to pitch. 
• Brian Cashman stated that the Yankees do not expect Bailey to pitch until August or September. 
• Cashman called this a "low risk/high reward signing".

If Bailey pitches for the Yankees then he could potentially earn up to $2.5 million in incentives. 

Vidal Nuno to start against Florida State on Tuesday

The Yankees have announced that left-hander Vidal Nuno will start the Spring Training opener on Tuesday against Florida State.

Nuno spent about a month in the big leagues last year with the Yankees and posted a 2.25 ERA in five games pitched. Out of those five games, three of them were as the starting pitcher.

The Yankees also have announced that Ivan Nova will start Wednesday against the Pirates.

Yankees agree to terms with Andrew Bailey

According to Buster Olney, The Yankees have agreed to terms with free agent reliever Andrew Bailey. The deal is reported to be a minor league deal that is stacked with incentives if he makes the major league roster. If he makes the big league club, he will earn $2.5 million in 2014, with a option for 2015 and a buyout.

Bailey was a solid reliever for the Athletics from 2009-2011, before getting traded to the Boston Red Sox after the 2011 season. He had a rough time in Boston after a sub-par 2012 and an injury filled 2013 season.

With this signing, the Yankees hope Bailey can bolster their bullpen towards the end of the game.

Bailey won't be able to pitch until at least May as he is recovering from surgery he had in July to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder.

Derek Jeter set to retire at end of 2014 season

Derek Jeter  announced today that the 2014 will be his final season in Major League Baseball. Jeter posted a 15-paragraph note on Facebook announcing that this season will be his last. This news comes as a surprise to many as Jeter has been playing at a consistently high level before he missed most of the 2013 season with an ankle injury.

Jeter, a 13-time All-Star, has won five World Series rings and was the Series’ most valuable player against the Mets in 2000. Jeter has also posted a career batting average of .312 with 3,316 hits, which leads the Yankees.

After watching Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte retire at the end of the 2013 season, Jeter is set to follow their footsteps and become the final core-four member to retire.