Derek Jeter: 10 Teams That Could Use Him If Yankees Botch Deal
Derek Jeter is a Yankee. Let's get that out of the way before we get to anything else on this list.
The Yanks and Jeter's agent are all talk right now, but there's still lots of wheeling and dealing to be done before the start of spring training, and the Yankee captain is too much of a fan favorite for them to let him get away.
That being said, there is the slimmest of chances that somehow, someway, Hank and the Steinbrenners screw this thing up. What becomes of the Yankee captain then?
Here are 10 teams who could swoop in and steal Jeter away from the Yanks if things turn south.
10. Boston Red Sox
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Why Jeter Would Go There: The Red Sox do need a shortstop. And nothing would give Sox Nation greater pleasure than to steal Jeter from the Yankees, even if he's a bit washed up.
Why He Wouldn’t: I feel like Derek would retire before becoming a member of the Red Sox, and if the Yanks lost him to Boston, rest assured it would be full-on pandemonium in New York.
Odds: 1,000 to 1.
9. San Diego Padres
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Why Jeter Would Go There: The Padres need a stopgap shortstop for a year or two, and Jeter's got the clout to fit the bill. He can still hit, and the Padres could use someone with a bat like that to pair with Adrian Gonzalez for next season.
Why He Wouldn’t: The money and the years Jeter wants. Both are waaaayyy to high for the Friars' tastes. They're looking for something more like a Miguel Tejada.
Odds: 750 to 1.
8. Oakland A's
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Why Jeter Would Go There: The A's need a big boost in offensive production, and Cliff Pennington struggled offensively for much of 2010. Jeter's got the kind of pop Billy Beane likes from that position, and he'd bring a veteran presence to a young team.
Why He Wouldn’t: The A's are notorious skinflints, and Jeter won't come cheap. Plus, with his limited range, he's nowhere near Pennington's skill level defensively, so Oakland would sacrifice defense for offense.
Odds: 700 to 1.
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7. Detroit Tigers
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Why Jeter Would Go There: They've got the money, and were looking to make a free agent splash this offseason. What better way to do it than snagging the captain away from the Yankees?
Why He Wouldn’t: The Tigers think they have a shortstop in former Indian Jhonny Peralta, so they're not really looking at Jeter as an option.
Odds: 650 to 1.
6. St. Louis Cardinals
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Why Jeter Would Go There: The Cardinals need a shortstop other than some sweet socks, and Brendan Ryan doesn't have much going for him at the position. Jeter could provide a modicum of protection for Albert Pujols, and create a nasty middle of the lineup.
Why He Wouldn’t: The money. St. Louis doesn't look like they're rolling in the dough this offseason, and we haven't heard a ton about them in the free agent market.
Odds: 500 to 1.
5. Toronto Blue Jays
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Why Jeter Would Go There: Yunel Escobar might be young, but he's maddeningly inconsistent and looks a bit more like a third baseman than a shortstop on occasion. Even if the Jays do want Escobar at short, Jeter plugs in brilliantly at third base, which is looking a bit like a black hole in 2011.
Why He Wouldn’t: Jeter seems to have his heart set on shortstop, so a move to third might not tickle his fancy all that much.
Odds: 450 to 1.
4. Atlanta Braves
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Why Jeter Would Go There: Alex Gonzalez is not the answer at short for Atlanta, and if Chipper Jones comes back for one more run, the Braves will have one of the oldest left sides of the infield in baseball history.
Why He Wouldn’t: While Jeter would go to Atlanta, would the Braves be able to afford Jeter? Atlanta's been trying to shrink the payroll for years, so it wouldn't make much sense to overpay a 36-year old shortstop with diminishing range.
Odds: 400 to 1.
3. Baltimore Orioles
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Why Jeter Would Go There: Cesar Izturis might have one of baseball's weakest bats, and the O's are in the market for a veteran shortstop. Jeter would be an excellent fit on a fairly young team who could use a veteran presence to teach them how to win.
Why He Wouldn’t: The Orioles seem committed to their youth movement, and Baltimore has brought in high-priced, veteran talent before, with precious little success.
Odds: 300 to 1.
2. Cincinnati Reds
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Why Jeter Would Go There: They need another shortstop for a year or two, until guys like Chris Valaika are ready to roll. Jeter gives the Reds a big bat, and he'd love the tiny dimensions of Great American Ballpark.
Why He Wouldn’t: The Reds are a mid-to small-market club, and Jeter is a bit out of their price range at shortstop. Plus, he'd want more years than they'd need him for.
Odds: 200 to 1.
1. San Francisco Giants
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Why Jeter Would Go There: The Giants need a veteran shortstop, could use his bat and have enough cash to make the deal happen. He'd be playing for another historic club who would appreciate what having him means, and he wouldn't play the Yankees very often.
Why He Wouldn’t: The Giants have said they'd sign Jeter if his price comes down a bit. Something tells me the only team who won't pay market price for him plays in the Bronx.
Odds: 100 to 1. Like I said, Jeter will stay a Yankee.
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