New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira is entering the final year of his eight-year, $180-million contract. He is coming off a bounce-back campaign in 2015 that was cut short by a fractured shin. The 35-year-old missed the final six weeks of the season.

However, Teixeira is feeling pretty good physically as he prepares for the upcoming 2016 season at the George M. Steinbrenner Field. When asked by reporters if he has any retirement plans, he answered that it's far from his mind.

"I would love to play until I am 40. My body feels good. Why not play until I am 40? Being the kind of hitter I am, I could be a DH the last few years of my career. I would love to play that long," Teixeira said. But will it still be in the Bronx?

Yankees Future

"I would love to stay here, but we will see what happens. For me to be in a productive position and help our team win maybe in my last year is all you can ask for," the 35-year-old answered.

General manager Brian Cashman has made it clear this offseason that the Yankees are trying to get younger. The team did not sign any free agents but made some good trades that brought players like Starlin Castro and Aroldis Chapman.

The Yankees also have a core of young players that is very vital for the team's future and quest for another World Series championship. One of those players is first baseman Greg Bird, who is seen as Teixeira's successor. However, he is set to miss the entire 2016 season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

That means Teixeira will be very important for the Yankees this season. If he reaches the same numbers as last year, many teams will offer him money this offseason. The Yankees can make him a qualifying offer of about $17 million for the 2017 season.

Will He Accept?

As he mentioned earlier, Teixeira would love to stay in the Bronx where he earned his first World Series ring in 2009. He is entering his eighth year with the Yankees and feels at home in New York City. He has a numerous business ventures and charities in the city that could prove vital if he leaves or not.

A lot will also depend on his overall production on the field and his health. Teixeira has a career batting average of .272 with 394 home runs and 1,254 RBIs. He is also fully healed from his shin injury saying, "Got off the crutches at the end of October, and I started working out at the beginning of November."