There comes a time in sports where reality sets in. Reality is setting in for New York Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter.
The Yankee captain has been the heart and soul of his team since he arrived 15 years ago. During that time, he has been on four World Series teams and has enjoyed immense post-season success. He has been the face of the Yankees on and off the field. Throw in the fact that he is in New York, the mecca of the world when it comes to attention.
What more could you ask for? How about a raise?
Jeter is an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. He has always been one of the highest paid players in the game. Jeter could hold his own with his glove, as well as being an accomplished hitter virtually anywhere you hit him.
I used the word “could,” because Jeter is now 36 years old and, like any non-steroid athlete, his skills have lessoned a bit. This season he had some of the lowest offensive numbers in his career. His defense was more than solid, though he is covering less ground.
In all, Jeter had an off-year by Jeter standards. The problem is that he had an off-year at age 36 in an unrestricted free-agent year.
Since 2001, Jeter has made a grand total of $185.6 million, an average of $18.58 million a year. Not even the best player in the game, Albert Pujols, comes close to that average.
As this is the only time Jeter has been a free agent, he wants to test the waters, or at least that has been said. But Jeter only was worth $22 million last year to the Yankees. The two teams in the World Series did not have a $22 million player on their rosters, and one of them won it all.
The Yankees were first to warn everyone that this may not be a smooth transition for a 36-year-old ballplayer in decline. According to people on the inside, it is believed that Jeter may be requesting an increase to $23-25 million a year for at least four years. The Yankees have countered with a three-year, $45 million offer. Both sides appear to be dug in.
There is not another team in baseball that will pay Jeter $23-25 million a year. Even $15 million would be a budget buster for many teams.
So what are the options? The Yankees could ill-afford the PR nightmare that would take place if Jeter is not back. They have don’t have anyone ready to replace him, and Jeter himself is the best shorstop on the free-agent market.
The word from the Yankees is that Jeter should take a “reality potion” when it comes to his salary request. Little has been said from the Jeter camp, which is the right thing to do, especially since the Yankees have their media bo-bos in place to print anything they want them to.
Is Jeter worth $23-25 million a year? Probably not. Is $45 million over three years enough? Probably not by Yankee standards, considering he has been the gold standard for the organization.
So where is the middle ground here? Three years with an option sounds right, and let that option be a large number where they pay him to stay home. If they pick it up, Jeter would have the comfort of knowing that he would be going out with one more big paycheck in his hand.
As if he needs it. No wife, no kids, no problem for one of America’s most eligible bachelors.
Or Jeter could take less to go somewhere else to prove a point to the Yankees. Not a very good point, but you know ego has taken out more than one person. For some reason, I am not of the belief that Jeter fits that description.
I do not think the same scenario will take place in St. Louis with the Cardinals and Albert Pujols.
Hmm, let’s see … Jeter hitting second in front of Pujols? Na, just thinking out loud. It won’t happen. To shortgap of a measure and too much risk on an old guy coming over from the American League.
Just sign Pujols – and save the rest for some good, young players
