Around the Empire: Yankees news - 12/13/19

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: It was never going to be long after the team signed Gerrit Cole that the Yankees would lock up their longest-tenured player, and the Yankees wasted no time re-signing Brett Gardner to a new contract on Thursday. After the best offensive season of his career at age 36, Gardner earned a one-year, $12.5 million contract with a $10 million team option for a second year. Given the Yankees’ concerns in center field with Aaron Hicks injured, re-signing Gardner was a no-brainer.

NJ.com | Mike Rosenstein: While the Yankees brought Gardner back, they also said goodbye to another one of their most loyal foot soldiers. Austin Romine left for greener pastures in Detroit on a one-year, $4.1 million deal. For Romine, he will finally get the chance to start, something he deserved after some productive years as the Yankees’ backup. After 10+ years in the Yankees’ system, Romine will put on a new uniform for the first time, going to Detroit where his brother Andrew played for four seasons.

SNY | Scott Thompson: The Yankees might not be done adding this offseason. Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Yankees are the “most active pursuer” for Brewers closer Josh Hader, the 2019 National League Reliever of the Year. The Brewers are rumored to be asking for a top prospect as a headliner, and while the Yankees don’t need another reliever, Hader would absolutely help put this team over the top.

New York Post | Joel Sherman: The Yankees have some other options for the offseason, too. The team now boasts MLB’s top payroll, but may look to shed that a bit by putting J.A. Happ on the block. Sherman thinks the team could also look to work on extensions for Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton and DJ LeMahieu.