Exit Alex Rodriguez, enter Brian Roberts.
With Rodriguez’s suspension for the entire 2014 season in place, the Yankees on Monday made the signing of second baseman Brian Roberts to a one-year contract official.
The Yankees reached agreement with Roberts last month, but by waiting to announce the deal until Rodriguez was suspended — the third-baseman received a 162-game suspension for his role in Biogenesis from independent arbitrator Fredric Horowitz on Saturday — the team doesn’t have to make a move on the 40-man roster.
Roberts will make $2 million in base salary for 2014, but could more than double his payday if he reaches all the incentives in his contract.
According to The Post’s Joel Sherman, Roberts will receive $175,000 when he reaches 250 and 300 plate appearances; $250,000 when he reaches 350 and 400 plate appearances; $300,000 when he reaches 450 and 500 plate appearances; $350,000 when he reaches 550 plate appearances and $400,000 when he reaches 600 and 650 plate appearances. The total value of the incentives is $2.6 million.
The 36-year-old Roberts has not reached 300 plate appearances since 2009. Last year with the Orioles he hit .249 with eight homers and 39 RBIs in 296 plate appearances.
Manager Joe Girardi indicated Roberts will likely be close to a full-time player.
“I think he can help us a lot,” Girardi told lohud.com at a speaking engagement in Westchester. “I think it’s something, I’ll sit down and have a conversation and try to get a feel what he thinks the optimal level of games that he’s going to play, but we’d like to play him pretty often.”