Yanks, Brett Gardner agree to deal

— -- The New York Yankees and Brett Gardner have agreed to a four-year contract worth $52 million, a source confirmed to ESPN's Buster Olney.

The deal includes a fifth-year option, according to the source.

Gardner, 30, would have been eligible for free agency after this season. The outfielder batted .277 with eight home runs, 52 RBIs and 24 stolen bases last season, his sixth with the Yankees.

One of the majors' top defensive outfielders, Gardner will shift to left field this season due to the acquisition of free agent center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury.