When Derek Jeter retires, Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia expected to fill ...

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As Derek Jeter approaches his final season in the Bronx, other veteran Yankees - including first baseman Mark Teixeira, outfielder Brett Gardner, reliever David Robertson and starter CC Sabathia - have emerged as potential candidates who might be able to step up to plate and give Yankees the kind of leadership they have received over the years from their longtime Captain.

TAMPA - The middle row of lockers in the Yankees' clubhouse at George M. Steinbrenner Field is occupied by a combination of minor-league youngsters and journeymen, all of them seeking a chance to thrive at the big-league level.

Derek Jeter 's locker sits only a few feet away. A 13-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glove winner and five-time World Series champion, Jeter is the unquestioned face of the Yankees - and for all intents and purposes, the entire sport.

So when this group of unproven players sees Jeter going about his business, the logical thing to do is to emulate the Captain.

But it's not only rookies and nonroster invitees who learn from Jeter. Mark Teixeira had six years of service time and a brand-new $180 million contract when he joined the Yankees in 2009, yet he looked to Jeter and the rest of the Core Four like everybody else.

'If I had a question or I wanted to see how things were done, I looked at Andy (Pettitte), Mo (Rivera), Derek and Jorge (Posada),' Teixeira said. 'Those guys had been here the longest and they had won the most.'

With Jeter set to hang up his spikes at the end of this season, the Yankees will be looking for new leadership in 2015 and beyond.

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It's unlikely that a new captain will be named anytime soon - the position was vacant for more than seven years between Don Mattingly's retirement and Jeter's coronation - but some of the longest-tenured members of the team know they will have to assume more responsibility in the clubhouse.

'The link to what some people call the dynasty years will be gone,' Joe Girardi said.

'It's expected upon the other guys to start something new.'

There is no shortage of veterans here - 10 players on the roster have at least eight years of service time - although the two with the most time in pinstripes besides Jeter might surprise you.

Brett Gardner has one more day of big-league service time than Dave Robertson, while the reliever has technically been a Yankee longer, having made his major-league debut for the Bombers one day before the outfielder's debut.

'It's hard to think about somebody like me as a guy that's been here for a long time when it feels like everybody here has 10 years in the big leagues,' Robertson said.

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The two have long looked at Jeter as the model for being a Yankee, and although they are still considered to be on the younger side in this veteran-filled clubhouse, both Gardner and Robertson know they are now among those setting the example.

'I try and go about things the right way, work hard and play hard,' Gardner said. 'Hopefully it rubs off on some of the younger guys.'

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Jeter's work ethic has rubbed off on his teammates for years. CC Sabathia said watching the shortstop work as hard as he did in 2009 despite the fact that he already owned four World Series rings opened his eyes and made him reassess some of his own habits.

Who will fill that void a year from now?

'Derek Jeter is the Yankees, so no matter what, it's going to be different,' Robertson said.

'Some people are going to have to create a new fabric and new face for the Yankees in 2015.'

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The likely candidates are Teixeira and Sabathia, who are entering their sixth year in New York. With 24 combined years of service time between them, the two veterans have seen it all in the game and have tasted victory in the Bronx, an ideal combination for them to take the baton from Jeter.

'You expect them to step up, absolutely,' Girardi said. 'You expect them to step up this year, too.'

Among players with at least five years in the majors, only Gardner and Robertson are Yankees lifers. Teixeira and Sabathia bring a different perspective after playing for teams outside of New York, yet they learned what it means to be a Yankee from their years of playing alongside of the Core Four.

'CC and I won't be here for another 10 years, but there might be a young guy in here that will be,' Teixeira said. 'We can help bridge the gap to the next great young Yankees player. Hopefully he comes here in the next year or two.'

Sabathia said he's aware of his role as a leader, and while he agrees that much of the responsibility will fall on him and Teixeira, they will assume different roles.

'I try to keep it light and be fun, be myself,' Sabathia said. 'I'm not a serious guy, so I'll let Tex handle all the hard stuff.'

General manager Brian Cashman noted that former Bombers such as Russell Martin and Raul Ibanez have assumed leadership roles despite brief tenures in pinstripes, so it's not only long-time Yankees who can have an impact. 'It's not something that is forced,' Cashman said. 'It's something that just develops over time.'

Girardi admits that life after Jeter will 'have a different feel,' but he's not concerned about his team's ability to fill the leadership void.

'I think they'll look to somebody else that plays the game the right way,' Girardi said. 'There are plenty guys in there that fit the bill.'