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New York Yankees: Mark Teixeira Has No Plans Of Slowing Down

By Kenneth Teape

Aug 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees designated hitter Mark Teixeira (25) hits a home run against Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees designated hitter Mark Teixeira (25) hits a home run against Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira is entering the final year of his contract, but has no plans on ending his career anytime soon.

The New York Yankees have had some mixed results since signing Mark Teixeira to a big contract in 2009. It started out very strong, as the Yankees took home a World Series title in his first season with the team, and finishing second in the MVP Award voting. But, the second half of the eight-year, $180 million contract has been defined by something else; injuries.

After playing at least 156 games the first three seasons of the contract, Teixeira has failed to play more than 123 in the last four. In 2013 he appeared in only 15, and last season he missed 61 games, a majority of which came from a freak accident. Teixeira fouled a ball off his leg against the Houston Astros on August 17th and was barely seen again. He attempted to come back, but when the pain was too much he went for more testing and it was revealed that he broke his leg.

Teixeira was having an outstanding season in the middle of the Yankees’ lineup prior to that, as he already compiled 31 home runs and 79 RBI in 111 games and 392 at-bats. If he can bring that kind of production to the lineup once again, while remaining healthy throughout the whole season, the Yankees will be very happy. It is also an indication to Teixeira that he can still be productive in this league for many more years to come.

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Teixeira said that he is fully healthy now, and is feeling good about his future in baseball. So good, Teixeira thinks that he can play for another half decade if given the chance, saying, “I’d love to play five more years. I’d love to play until I’m 40…My body feels so good, why not play until I’m 40? Being the kind of hitter I am, I can be a DH the last few years of my career, which could really prolong it. I would love to play that long.”

Where he would be playing those seasons is another question. While he would undoubtedly like to stay with the Yankees, saying, “That’s probably the easiest question you could ask me,” when asked about staying with the Yankees. But, with Greg Bird waiting in the wings, it is hard to envision the Yankees giving Teixeira another long-term contract, especially since the DH position is Alex Rodriguez‘s spot until his massive contract expires.

If he is forced to move on from the Yankees, Teixeira is not lacking for confidence in his abilities. With the season he had at the plate before going down with a broken leg, in addition to more Gold Glove caliber defense at first base, it makes sense that Teixeira is high on his chances to continue his career for a number of seasons.

“I think I have a lot of good years left in me especially after last year,” Teixeira said. “The great thing about contract years is if you do your job on the field for your team, the contract works out for you.”

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Teixeira is hoping that happens to him this season, as he enters the final year of the deal he signed in 2009. If he can perform near the level that he was last season, he should have no trouble securing another contract after the 2016 season.

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