TAMPA, Fla. Adrian Gonzalez Authentic Jersey . -- Outfielder Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees have agreed to a contract that adds $52 million in guaranteed money from 2015-18. The deal announced Sunday includes a team option for for 2019 that if exercised would make the new money $62.5 million over five seasons. "It shows the level of confidence, belief and trust, and the type of player and person he is," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "Were excited to know that hes going to be a part of this team going forward. Were a better team with Gardy on it, thats the bottom line. This is a good day for him, and we believe it makes the future for us better." Gardner agreed last month to a $5.6 million, one-year contract and would have been eligible for free agency after the 2014 season. The new deal adds a $2 million signing bonus payable next January and salaries of $12 million in 2015, $13 million in 2016, $12 million in 2017 and $11 million in 2018. The Yankees have a $12.5 million option for 2019 with a $2 million buyout. Gardner would receive an additional $1 million payment if hes traded, a provision he can earn only once. "Free agency is something that, it kind of intrigued me, but it also kind of scared me," Gardner said. "Ive never been anywhere else. I love it here. I love putting on the pinstripes everyday." Cashman said talks about the contract started at the winter meetings in December. The Yankees are moving Gardner to left field this year after signing free agent centre fielder Jacoby Ellsbury to a $153 million, seven-year contract in December. Gardner did have questions in his mind about his Yankees future after the Ellsbury acquisition. "When they signed Jacoby, your name gets thrown out in the trade rumours and all that," Gardner said. "Its kind of annoying, really. I didnt want to get traded. I dont want to go anywhere else, and I let them know that." The 30-year-old Gardner hit .273 last year with eight home runs, 52 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. "I like what he brings," Cashman said. "The speed dynamic, the defence, and I think the offence is there as well." Also, the Yankees agreed to a minor league contract with injured closer Andrew Bailey, who was with Boston last year and is coming back from right shoulder surgery last July. Cashman said the right-hander might be able to join the team in August or September. "When he is healthy, hes an exceptional reliever," Cashman said. "Hes coming off of a shoulder surgery, so were taking a flier. A low risk. If we can get a reward out of it, great. If not, its one of those nothing ventured, nothing gained." NOTES: Yankees manager Joe Girardi attended a meeting with MLB officials Joe Torre and Tony La Russa Saturday on topics including instant replay. Girardi said the Yankees first instant replay test game will be March 6 against Philadelphia in Clearwater. "It opens up us to more to have to answer for, but I think it gives our game the opportunity to have more things decided on the field, which I think is a good thing," Girardi said. The Yankees plan to work on replay situations throughout spring training even if its not a test game. "Well probably practice with walkie talkies," Girardi said. ... New York OF Alfonso Soriano missed his fourth day due to the flu, but could do a light workout Monday. Adrian Gonzalez Womens Jersey . Bab**** has one year left on his contract, and told reporters on Tuesday that getting a new deal this off-season is not a priority. Clayton Kershaw Authentic Jersey . Paul Goldschmidt hit his NL-best 36th homer for the Diamondbacks, extending his hitting streak to 14 games and increasing his league-leading RBI total to 124.Things have yet to come easy for Mike DAntoni since arriving in New York. Even when it seems like things are on the upswing, hes now facing his steepest challenge - meshing a suddenly ultra-talented-but-volatile lineup into a contender this season. And his job security will likely hinge on it. With Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler in the fold, DAntoni was without the point guard he needed to steer the ship, and it started to show early on. The team was floundering at 8-15, when, with nothing to lose and the season basically on the line, DAntoni inserted a seldom-used, bench-warming Harvard grad into the lineup at point guard against the Nets on February 4. This was the birth of Linsanity. And the first point guard DAntoni was comfortable with running his offence since he had Steve Nash in Phoenix. The emergence of Jeremy Lin was surreal, and - with Stoudemire and Anthony out - completely necessary. The trio was basically on the floor together for minutes before circumstances left Lin as the go-to guy. Lin was able to put his stamp on the game having the ball and dictating the Knicks offensive flow. Suddenly, they became a cohesive unit on the floor. It didnt matter who was scoring, Lin made sure that it was the right person each time down. The return of Stoudemire came first, and that was viewed as a major plus. A master finisher on pick-and-roll in Phoenix, DAntoni finally had that elusive two-man combo to work with at the top of the key. The return of Anthony came Monday, and Knicks fans were holding their collective breath, fearful that Melos mega presence - aand more importantly, his desire to take the ball and go to work one on one - would disrupt the Knicks sudden surge of success. Matt Kemp Replic Jersey. . Well, it was disrupted. By none other than the lowly Nets. And now the questions will begin to swirl. This was not all Melos doing - he attempted just 11 shots all game, but there were possessions in the fourth quarter (around the time that Lin usually takes over) where the 23-year-old gave way to Anthony. In Phoenix, DAntoni had the perfect roster - a lead dog at point, a guy whose job was to get into the paint and score, and a whole lot of good players who were there to score when called upon. Its a little more complicated in Gotham. Anthony needs the ball to be effective unless hes willing to change his game. Thats not likely. Stoudemire needs the ball inside, and should never be spotted up in the corner for a three. Thats a win for the defence every time. And we havent even talked about the acquisition of JR Smith, who will need his shots to be that effective sixth man they need. Baron Davis is back too, and hes traditionally been effective handling the ball and being a big-time scoring guard. Oh, and dont forget about Lin, who has proven that he needs to be the guy with the ball for the Knicks to be successful. Were about to find out just how good a coach DAntoni is, and this is where we want to hear from you. If you were head coach of the Knicks, how would you handle this situation? Do you change the offence? Do you change the starting lineup or rotation? Or do you go to management and tell them they need to make a deal? Its Your! Call. ' ' '
