Too early to talk about Jeter?

by Travis G on Nov 17, 2009 10:00 AM EST in Analysis Comment 30 comments

2010 is the last year of his current contract. Barring a catastrophe, Derek Jeter will surpass 3000 hits sometime in 2011.

Jeter will be 37 in 2011. Only five 37+ shortstops in history have ever had an above average offensive season, and only two have done it more than once (Honus Wagner and Luke Appling).

The question really comes down to how much the Yankees think Jeter will maintain his abilities as he enters his late-30's.

I'm usually of the mind to let players finish out their contract before re-signing them. If the Yanks re-signed Jeter now, if would be off a phenomenal year where he would command top dollar. If 2010 is a 'lesser' season, it'll cost less to bring him back.

What could be a fairly big reason to extend him now (meaning this off-season) would be to avoid the potential year-long distraction of the MSM talking about it every other day (and obviously the possibility, however slight it may be, that Jeter signs elsewhere).

A lot also depends on how many years Jeter wants. I'm sure the Yanks don't want to go more than 2-3. What if Jeter wants a five-year extension? I'm all for sentimentality, but not if it hinders the overall team.

Another factor is the advancement of shortstops within the farm system. Frankly, there aren't many. Carmen Angelini and Jose Pirela are the only high-ceiling shortstops in the system (and that's not saying much). Sure, Ramiro Pena could play great D, but he won't hit anywhere near Jeter.

Could a trade or FA acquisition happen? Could Hanley Ramirez be acquired?

What's the solution?

Poll

What should the Yankees do regarding Derek Jeter?

Sign him this off-season, whatever it takes

376 votes

Let him play out 2010, then worry about a new deal

487 votes

Other (please comment)

9 votes

872 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 30 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Jeter isn't going anywhere

He knows it, and the Yankees know it. Jeter is the most iconic player since, well, maybe Mickey Mantle, and he knows it, and the Yankees know it.

The Yankees policy is the Yankees policy. They didn’t negotiate an extension mid-season with Posada or Rivera, and Jeter should be no exception.

by 3460kuri on Nov 17, 2009 10:07 AM EST reply actions

yeah

I think Jeter would retire before he would sign with another team.

by Wraithpk on Nov 17, 2009 10:11 AM EST up reply actions

This is the elephant in the room

Jeter isn’t A-Rod…the sorts of players that remain productive past 40 tend to be big-time power hitting DHs or extremely well conditioned defensive middle-infielders (I’m looking at you, Omar Vizquel). An aging Jeter as a DH doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence in our lineup.

On the other hand, we can’t play anywhere else, and we can’t afford to see him in another uniform (though if the Babe did it, there’s no reason that Jeter can’t).

He needs to get to 3000 with the Yanks, though, and that suggests that we re-sign him to some sort of deal.

The problem is that first contract…it was a little ridiculous. And it would be REALLY ridiculous to sign him to a similar value this time.

So what do you do? I’d have to think about what kind of value Jeter has. Maybe a 4/60 deal? Who else would pay a 40 yo SS $15?

by PortlandYankee on Nov 17, 2009 10:35 AM EST reply actions

Babe did it.
DiMaggio did it (coach for the A’s)
Yogi did it (Mets and Astros).
Mattingly is doing it now.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Nov 17, 2009 10:55 AM EST up reply actions

Coaching is different

It’s one thing to see the other guy in another dugout…completely different to have them actively trying to beat you at the plate or on the mound.

And, looking at Baseball Reference, Yogi only played 4 games with the Mets and Ruth played 28 with the Braves. So really, neither had a post-Yankee playing career.

DiMaggio is from the Bay Area, so if we’re talking Oakland A’s (not Philly), it wouldn’t surprise me.

For Jeter to go off and play for the Orioles or whoever for 4 years would be something much more heartbreaking for Yankee fans.

by PortlandYankee on Nov 17, 2009 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

The A's Weren't In Oakland When Joe D. Played

They were in Philadelphia, then Kansas City.

Play it out, then re-sign him. DJ doesn’t want to go anywhere, and the Yankees don’t want him playing anywhere else. From an organizational standpoint you let the current contract run at least run to its final year, then MAYBE you start looking at re-signing. But the bottom line is, he’s not going anywhere unless he seriously declines (and he’s in amazing condition for any age, much less mid-30’s) in the last two years of his contract. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.

by d_c_guy on Nov 17, 2009 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

It was Oakland in ’68.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Nov 17, 2009 12:09 PM EST up reply actions

imagine jeter wearing another uniform

i remember how awful wade boggs looked in those early devil ray uniforms when he got his 3000th hit…picture jeter in a diamondbacks wife-beater jersey…or those silly black mets jerseys…

yeah its only aesthetics but it sure takes away from the persona

by holycowboy on Nov 17, 2009 11:01 AM EST reply actions

Jetes is not a normal SS

Hasn’t he proven it? I mean, he He got better this year. If he tailed off this season, I’d be concerned at what exactly sort of player we’d be looking at.

He also got ‘better’ in the field and won a gold glove (regardless of who actually deserve it, Jeet didn’t do absolutely nothing and simply win a popularity contest, he deserved it too)

We’ll see what he does this season as it will tell a lot. Does he put up his normal Jeet numbers or does he tail off (and what does he tail off to exactly?).

If the Yanks gave Posada his deal to play catcher, what do they give Jeter?

"It ain't over till its over"---

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 17, 2009 11:37 AM EST reply actions

That Posada deal is going to kill us the last two years

Really, what we have to ask is “how long will we get an effective player, and how long will we just be paying a salary? And can we live with that?”

Jeter has at best two more years at SS, and then they have to think about where to put him. He’s not a DH. He could go to 2B, where his range might not hurt us as badly. I don’t think I’d want to see him (and not Carl Crawford) in LF.

by PortlandYankee on Nov 17, 2009 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

I don’t really know how Jeter’s arm stacks up strength wise, but I figured he’d go to right field.

Give up on Crawford. My money says he’ll stay with the Rays.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Nov 17, 2009 12:10 PM EST up reply actions

No way do the Rays pay him what he could earn on the market

And if not him, then surely there will be another sub-30 corner outfielder who would serve us better in the OF.

I guess you’re thinking about Ichiro, then, as your model for a 37-40 Jeter?

by PortlandYankee on Nov 17, 2009 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

Actually, I’m thinking about the ‘99-01 version of Paul O’Neill (age 36-38):
144G .279/.340/.447 16SB

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Nov 17, 2009 12:47 PM EST up reply actions

I think Jeter could put up those numbers (with a higher OBP and fewer HR)

but for that service, we payed O’Neill $8 million (adjusted for inflation).

We’re going to need a little more from a $15-20 million corner outfielder.

by PortlandYankee on Nov 17, 2009 1:13 PM EST up reply actions

But any team is a business,

and giving anyone, even Derek Jeter free reign doesn’t make sense.

A generous, short term offer would be ideal for the team, and honestly, Derek Jeter doesn’t seem to be the type to want to play on when he is no longer effective. Unlike some hitting-challenged, no-speed, can’t-catch, “talisman-ic” catcher who took up on a player option despite having his team option declined.

I’d say, give him maybe 16 or more for a shorter (2-3 yr) contract and see if he’s okay with it.

by Vancouverguy on Nov 17, 2009 12:33 PM EST reply actions

No reason to do anything now

Jeter owes Tom Hicks about 25% of his net worth for originally signing A-Rod to that ridiculous contract that set the SS market WAY too high. I love Jeter, but 10 years/$189 million? No way.

There’s no way Jeter will go anywhere, a deal will be reached that benefits both sides, because Jeter knows what being a Yankee is worth to his endorsement deals and other non-baseball income.

by New York Sports Jerk on Nov 17, 2009 12:38 PM EST reply actions

Tough call

Cashman pretty much has to make an offer for more than DJ’s actually worth in the twilight of his career. If I were him, I’d see some logic in making that offer now, when DJ is fresh off a career year and a WS win. Better to overpay now, than later, when DJ starts to fall off.

I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque

by LateInningRelief on Nov 17, 2009 12:59 PM EST reply actions

Um...Cashman should pay now

So he can OVERPAY for a late-career year? Huh?

Wait a year. See what Jeter does, and set the value off that.

by PortlandYankee on Nov 17, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

He's going to overpay either way

Better to have the cover of a WS win and a career year and be done with it. I don’t really have a dog in this hunt. Just thinking about how to do this and create the least friction with the face of the franchise.

I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque

by LateInningRelief on Nov 17, 2009 1:26 PM EST up reply actions

That makes no sense

There should be no f’ing “friction” with Jeter. He would be a nobody if the Houston Astros drafted him, being a career Yankee has turned him into a legend. Assuming he wants to stay with the Yanks for his entire career, he needs to be willing to work out a deal that benefits both sides.

by New York Sports Jerk on Nov 17, 2009 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

Whatever, dude

Since Posada got a 52/4 deal, it’s going to take at least a 60/4 deal to get it done with DJ. Jeter’s hardly going to be worth that from age 36-40. If you’re suggesting that the Yankees offer him fair-market value, there’s definitely going to be friction.

I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque

by LateInningRelief on Nov 17, 2009 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

I'm confused

You say Jeter isn’t going to be worth it, yet say the Yankees have to pay him that.

My question; why?

by New York Sports Jerk on Nov 17, 2009 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

Because Cashman is not stupid

Posada got a sunset contract of $13M a year, with the Yankees knowing full well that he was going to be a part-time catcher by the final year. He was being rewarded for services rendered as much as for services going forward.

The Yanks cannot offer DJ fair market value. He’s the face of the franchise.

I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque

by LateInningRelief on Nov 17, 2009 5:36 PM EST up reply actions

Jeter has been paid $189 million...

…well beyond his actual value.

Now you want to pay him more than his current value to reward him again?

That’s nonsense.

Posada got a market contract, for the record. The Mets were very serious about signing him.

by New York Sports Jerk on Nov 18, 2009 11:01 AM EST up reply actions

I don't honeslty

Know why your saying he won’t be worth it like all of a sudden his numbers are going to drop way down. I don’t see why he can’t hit 300 till he’s 40 barring any injuries, I mean he won’t be playing Short anymore, but offensively I don’t see that big a drop coming, just cause of the type of hitter he is.

by DarthRichter on Nov 17, 2009 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

You may be right.

But the guy made $21.6M this year. A 40 year-old DH or LF with diminishing speed who hits for average is worth what?

I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque

by LateInningRelief on Nov 17, 2009 5:37 PM EST up reply actions

The thing about Jeter

Is that he’s worth a lot more to the Yankees than anyone else. When Jeter’s contract is up after next year it’s not like some other team is going to come swooping in with a 7 year offer. Instead of bidding against themselves and paying Jeter whatever he wants like they did with A-Rod the Yankees have to play a bit of hardball, not with the amount per year because that’s pretty irrelevant to them, but with the number of years. Probably try and keep it to 3. Also they need to make it clear to Jeter that if his defense declines he’ll need to move to a corner OF.

That being said I think Jeter can still be valuable at an advanced age. He’s not a player who relies on incredible bat speed or physical speed to be productive. He’s a great baserunner, he hits to all fields and he gets on base a lot, skills which shouldn’t erode that badly.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Nov 17, 2009 1:17 PM EST reply actions

Jeter will play with the Yanks through his 40th Birthday...

As a hitter, shouldn’t see a huge decline in his numbers. With his inside-out swing, a balanced stance and the ability to hit to all fields Jeter will be able to stay up around the .300 range with ease. A transition back to hitting 2 in the lineup will help as he won’t be asked to run as much. After another 2-3 years at short we can expect to see either a move to LF or a DH job similar to the role Matsui has been playing the last two years. The Yanks have enough boppers were a 2 hole hitting DH can still an effective lineup make. Expect to see a 4/70 offer with an option for a fifth year.

by bronxbomber_22 on Nov 17, 2009 4:31 PM EST reply actions