over the past couple of days, the Yankees have gotten a taste of what renewing those vows will really mean. Adeinis Hechavarria, a 21-year-old Cuban refugee who starred for his homeland's junior team two years ago and defected to Mexico last year, was widely believed earmarked for the Yankees.He then talks about how Hechavarria chose the Jays over the Yankees, mainly because of Jeter's stranglehold on shortstop. The extra $1.5 million he got from the Jays couldn't have hurt either. What would he had done if the Yankees had offered $11.5? Was playing time or money really the issue here? If it was that latter, this whole point becomes moot, but for the sake of continuing this post, we'll stick with the idea that playing time really was most important thing.
It made all the sense in the world ....
.... Only it doesn't appear they are going to get Hechavarria.
Later in the article, he wonders how many other prospects might choose another team instead of waiting "for Jeter's skills to erode."
Vaccaro goes on to show some confidence in the Yankees and the way they'll handle the issue of having Jeter holding down shortstop as he gets closer and closer to 40.
Now, the Yankees aren't likely to find themselves in the quandary the Orioles created for themselves not long ago by refusing to believe that Cal Ripken would ever get too old to play -- or wanting to challenge in any way their most popular player. They're too smart to do what the Mets did with Mike Piazza, refusing to come up with a smart succession plan that not only would have helped the Mets at catcher, but also might well have extended Piazza's career as an effective offensive player.For the most part, I agree, the Yankees can definitely handle this properly. But at the same time I'd be a fool not to be slightly concerned. There is always a chance they could make the same mistakes as the O's and Mets.
The Yankees aren't likely to be held hostage the way those teams were, and honestly weren't held hostage here. It is still the right move to choose Jeter over a future uncertainty. It just won't be forever.
The first thing they need to continue to do is focus on shortstops in the draft. If they can draft Jeter's successor, it will put this all to bed. And yes, I know that's easier said than done, but it's still something they should focus on, and I'm sure they are.
Second, and probably most importantly, they cannot let Derek Jeter tell them where Derek Jeter is going to play. I know he's one of the greatest Yankees of all-time, but even Mickey Mantle had to switch positions. We all know about Derek's pride, and if it were up to him he'd probably never move from short. That's why it can't be left up to him. As soon as the Yankees feel Jeter's days at short are done, they should be done. The most important thing for the organization is keep the Yankees as good as they can be, not protecting Jeter's ego.
Another factor here is that the Yankees have the resources to acquire a shortstop as soon as Jeter's days at the position are over, whether it be via trade or free agency. This gives the Yankees their greatest chance to avoid any problems that may come up. Going even deeper into that, the Yankees also have the resources the put such a good team on the field around shortstop, that the only thing they might need at the position is good defense. Especially when you consider that when Jeter is 40 he most likely won't be the hitter he is today.
In the end, I'm not all that concern with Jeter's extension and what it could mean down the road. He's still one of, if not the best, shortstops in the game, and for now, has shown few signs of decline. There are also no guarantees with prospects like Hechevarria. So missing out on a couple of them for a future Hall of Famer isn't that big of a deal. As long as the Yankees keep their eyes open and are honest with themselves and Jeter, everything will be handled properly.
Are you concerned by this?
