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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 06: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Brett Gardner #11 of the New York Yankees in action against the Houston Astros during the American League Wild Card Game at Yankee Stadium on October 6, 2015 in the Bronx borough of New York City, New York. The Astros defeated the Yankees 3-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Agent: Gardner wants to be a Yankee for ‘entire career’

As trade rumors begin to swirl around Brett Gardner, his agent made it clear on Monday what his client’s desires are: to remain a Yankee for life – according to Brendan Kuty of NJ.com.

Joe Bick of Pro Sports Management reiterated what Gardner told the team prior to signing a four-year, $52M extension in 2014. “His desire is to be a New York Yankee for his entire career,” Bick told NJ Advanced Media. “If it works out that way, great. If not, he’s going to show up and play every day.”

A homegrown Yankee, Gardner has taken on an important leadership role now that Derek Jeter is gone. He made the all-star team for the first time in 2015, but faded in the second half when he hit just .206. It was revealed recently that Gardner was dealing with a wrist injury for most of the season, and that it likely contributed to his poor play. His intensity and willingness to play through injuries has made him a favorite of Brian Cashman and especially Joe Girardi.

The Yankees need pitching, however, and Gardner’s team-friendly contract makes him attractive to other clubs. His name has already been linked to the Mariners and Indians so far this offseason. Newly-acquired Aaron Hicks provides flexibility for Cashman should Gardner be packaged up in a trade. Cashman said he views Hicks as an “everyday player.”