As vital as Jeter has been to the organization since becoming the starter in 1996, the Yankees soon must decide how much he is worth to them. Jeter’s 10-year, $189 million contract expires after the 2010 season, but the Yankees have not formally approached him about an extension. “I haven’teven thought about it,” Jeter said.Curry also explains that the Yanks would like to sign Jeter to a two-year extension, but I highly doubt that will happen.
When Jeter was asked if he was surprised that the team had not talked to him about another contract, Jeter said, “Why would I be?”
If Jeter agreed to an extension with the Yankees, he would know what his future held beyond 2010. Knowing that he was signed after 2010 might give Jeter more security, but he did not seem worried about it. “It’s 2009,” Jeter said. “It’s not 2010.” Then Jeter paused before adding, “Or 2011.”
...Although Jeter said the Yankees had not discussed the future with him, the team has discussed Jeter’s status internally. The Yankees want to re-sign Jeter, 35, so he can collect his 3,000th hit with them and presumably retire as a Yankee. Jeter, who has 2,674 hits, cannot envision playing elsewhere.
“Have I thought about doing that?” Jeter asked. “Nope.”
They're going to overpay for Jeter, and to be honest they should. He's been the greatest Yankee of this generation, the face of the franchise, a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and will likely be the first Yankee with 3000 hits. I don't care what it costs, or how many years, do you? All I know is that Jeter has to finish his career in pinstripes. And the fact that he doesn't look like he's slowing down should make this decision that much easier for the Yanks.
8 Comments:
I am a die hard yankee fan and have loved them by whole life. That being said if they let Jeter walk or try and low ball him with some crappy offers I will never forgive the Yankees front office. All the money we have blown over the years on shitty half ass players they cannot let Jeter play for any other team. I don't care if we have to give him A-Rod money even when he's not worth it, they need to bite the bullet and get this done. The sooner the better. Sorry for the rant.
Greg said:
"They're going to overpay for Jeter, and to be honest they should. He's been the greatest Yankee of this generation, the face of the franchise, a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and will likely be the first Yankee with 3000 hits. I don't care what it costs, or how many years, do you? All I know is that Jeter has to finish his career in pinstripes. And the fact that he doesn't look like he's slowing down should make this decision that much easier for the Yanks."
I could not agree more. Jeter has never been the best player in the league and yet he has been the face of baseball for years. A class act and a great player.
People always bring up that he is not a home run hitter and can't carry a team but I disagree with the latter.
He has carried this team by his quiet leadership and the respect that he is given.
They should just pay the man and hopefully Jete will be realistic in his asking price too.
I know one thing, I will be in attendance the day Jeter hits his 3,000 if it is at the Stadium or anywhere close.
I dont think Jeter is an unrealistic person to try and ask for too much. He will be overpaid but nothing like an A-Rod contract.
-G
They're going to give Jeter whatever he wants.
No one has ever collected 3,000 hits as a Yankee. Jeter's going to be the first. The Yankees want him to be the first.... So they'll give him what he wants.
Derek's already a legend in NY but here are the 2 moves he could make to appear like a saint, too:
1) He could change position after 2010 because even if he has a pretty good season at short, you have to assume 2 years down the road he's gonna hit a wall defensively. I hope he realizes he has to move to the outfield before becoming totally irrelevant at SS.
2) He could dramatically lower his salary to allow the Bombers to pursue a great shortstop (any SS free agent in 2010?) or another player without exploding the payroll.
Jeter has the money, the legend status, 4 titles, I think if he does that, he would show that winning is really the most important to him and why there is no name on the back of the Yankee jerseys.
Do I think he's gonna do all of that and not ask for a starter role at SS and $15M per? No, but I hope.
Go Bombers. Go Jeter, please, do the right thingn show why your above everyone else in this business.
This is one of those "cross that bridge when you come to it" sort of things. Jeter will re-sign with the Yankees, they'll pay more than market value, but Jeter has paid for himself about 50 times over in terms of marketing the team and merch.
It will get done, Jeter will be a Yankee until the day he retires, you can bet on that.
^^^ Agreed. Let's leave this alone at least until THIS season is over.
Jeter is due to make $21 million in 2010. If he signs a two year extension for a bit less annually, it's a win for everybody.
It's mostly me being sentimental over my favorite player in Pinstripes (this generation), but a 37 year old Jeter would still be worth $20 million to me.
At this day and age of free agency and squabbles over financial conditions, Jeter could possibly be the last player to begin and finish as a Yankee legend. They have to bring him back.
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