Teixeira lands ESPN studio gig

Mark Teixeira will face a new kind of spotlight this season. The former Yankees f irst baseman, who retired at the conclusion of the 2016 season, has joined ESPN as a studio analyst, the network announced Tuesday. “I couldn’t be more excited to begin this next chapter of my baseball career with ESPN,” Teixeira said in a statement. The 36-year-old Teixeira served as a guest host on ESPN’s “Mike and Mike” radio show in 2014 and earned strong reviews. He also has appeared several times as a guest analyst for the network.

“Mark brings valuable insight from his experience as one of the elite first basemen and hitters of his era,” ESPN senior coordinating producer Seth Markman said. “His star power and credentials, coupled with his modern perspective of the game, will benefit our coverage. He’s been on our radar for quite some time and we’re looking forward to working with him.”

Teixeira had a .204/.292/.362 slash line with 15 homers and 44 RBIs in 116 games last season for the Yankees. The previous year he was selected to the American League All-Star team and f inished with 31 homers. Injuries in recent seasons had curtailed his playing time.

The Yankees have no shortage of candidates to replace Teixeira at f irst base — including Chris Carter, who agreed to a one-year deal worth $3 million with the club Tuesday. Other possibilities at the position include Greg Bird and Tyler Austin. The Yankees signed Teixeira to an eight-year contract worth $180 million before the 2009 season. The influx of Teixeira, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett that year helped lead the team to its most recent World Series title.