Yankees re-sign Brendan Ryan to two-year deal

The Yankees have re-signed shortstop Brendan Ryan to a two-year, $5 million deal with a mutual option for a third year that includes incentives which could bring the value of the contract to $10 million, reports Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

The Yankees wanted to re-sign Ryan to provide a solid defensive solution to Derek Jeter, who will go into the 2014 season with questions surrounding his health, and whether his surgically repaired right ankle, which caused him to go back on the DL for a 4th time in 2013, will be ready for next season.

Ryan was acquired from the Seattle Mariners in mid-September, and he played in 17 games for the Yankees down the stretch, batting just .220 with one homerun.

Ryan will provide the Yankees with some very solid defense, as he's been one of the best defensive shortstops in the league for throughout his career. But at the same time, Ryan is very good at handling the bat, and his offense has nothing to do with the Yanks bringing him back.

Re-signing Ryan for two-years could also mean that the Yankees are starting to give up on Eduardo Nunez as an option to replace Jeter when he decides it's time to hang up the cleats.

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