NEW YORK -- The Yankees settled their first pieces of offseason business on Friday, exercising an option that will keep left-hander Zack Britton in their bullpen through 2022, while declining options for next season on outfielder Brett Gardner and left-hander J.A. Happ.

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¡°Very excited to continue the pursuit of a championship with the Yankees,¡± Britton said on Twitter.

Britton, who will turn 33 in December, had a unique clause in his contract that required the Yankees to pick up a $14 million option for 2022. Had they not, the sinkerballer could have elected free agency, forgoing his $13 million salary for '21.

Instead, Britton projects to remain an important figure in the Yanks¡¯ bullpen hierarchy, setting up for left-hander Aroldis Chapman. Britton was 1-2 with a 1.89 ERA and eight saves in 20 appearances for New York this past season. He was also an instrumental figure off the field, playing a crucial role as the club¡¯s MLB Players Association representative during the coronavirus shutdown.

¡°He had a great year,¡± general manager Brian Cashman said on Oct. 14. ¡°He was fantastic in every way, shape and form -- in terms of performance and in terms of the leadership he provided for his players on behalf of the union.¡±

The Yankees declined to pick up Gardner¡¯s $10 million option, instead paying a $2.5 million buyout. The team¡¯s longest-tenured player, Gardner batted .223/.354/.392 with five homers and 15 RBIs in 49 games this season. Gardner played well in September, earning starts in five of the Yanks¡¯ seven postseason games.

It is possible that the Yankees could negotiate a lower price to re-sign Gardner, who has said that he hopes to continue wearing pinstripes in 2021. New York¡¯s outfield currently projects to feature Clint Frazier, Aaron Hicks and Aaron Judge in starting roles, with Mike Tauchman also in the mix as a reserve.

Britton made four appearances during the playoffs, charged with a pair of runs in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the Indians before working four scoreless frames against the Rays in the American League Division Series.

A two-time AL All-Star (2015, '16) while with the Orioles, Britton is 5-3 with a 2.14 ERA and 14 saves over 111 appearances since being acquired by the Yankees in a July 2018 trade. Britton re-signed with the Yankees in January 2019.