MLB Rumors: 10 Reasons Derek Jeter Will Get His Way With Yankees
MLB Rumors: 10 Reasons Derek Jeter Will Get His Way With Yankees
Derek Jeter is a free agent for the first time in his storied MLB career, and unless something changes, it seems like he will remain a free agent for a while.
Jeter is said to be seeking 4-6 years and $22-25 million a year. Steep numbers for someone who has showed a lot of decline over the past year.
However, this isn't a typical free agent. For Jeter to play anywhere but New York would be an indictment of the era that we live in, and both Jeter and the Yankees want to prevent that.
So why is Jeter going to end up back in pin stripes, and how is he going to do so on his own terms and not the discount the Yankees are trying to give him?
10. He Is Worth More to the Yankees
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Market price is a term that doesn't relate to the price Jeter will command from the Yankees. He has played his entire career with the Yankees, and along with Mariano Rivera, is part of the only contingent remaining from the Yankees dynasty in the 1990s.
For any other team, Jeter would simply be an aging short stop that a team would bring in to make a splash.
9. 3000th Hit
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Jeter has 2,926 career hits. Meaning with 74 more hits, Jeter will become the first Yankee with 3,000 hits.
It is shocking to believe that with all the great players in MLB history, Jeter would be the first Bronx Bomber to reach the milestone.
The build up to 3,000 hits and the marketing that the Yankees will undoubtedly provide in conjunction with the accomplishment will be astronomical. The money earned during that period will go a long way in paying for Jeter's salary.
8. Yankee Captain
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In 2003, Jeter became just the 14th captain in the storied history of the Yankees. When he did that, he became the most important player in pinstripes for the rest of his career.
That alone is a huge bargaining chip for Jeter to leverage Yankee brass.
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7. George Steinbrenner Would Pay Jeter
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The late George Steinbrenner always seemed to have an affinity for Derek Jeter. If he were alive and coherent, Steinbrenner would give Jeter whatever he asked for. Without a question.
If the current generation of Steinbrenners want to live up to the legacy of George, they will pay Jeter.
6. Public Perception
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If the Yankees fail to resign their marquee player, it will look very poor for this proud franchise.
Derek Jeter will come out of the negotiations looking almost cheated by the Yankees who have never been a "fiscally shy" team.
5. Player Perception
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If the Yankees fail to resign Jeter, they risk losing the clubhouse. No player is considered more of a Yankee than Jeter and not signing the shortstop would show the other players that the Yankees are not loyal to any player no matter how important.
It could end up creating a ripple effect that changes how successful the Yankees are at bringing in free agents.
4. Both Sides Want To Get a Deal Done
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If we are being completely honest, there is absolutely no chance Jeter plays anywhere else next season. He wants nothing more than to finish his career in pinstripes, and the Yankees want Jeter's entire career to be in pinstripes.
For that reason alone, a deal will get done one way or another.
3. Both Sides Will Negotiate
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Because both sides want to reach an agreement, they are both willing to negotiate.
The most recent word on the negotiations is that Jeter's camp has already lowered their asking price. All it is going to take is the Yankees raise their offer slightly to appease Jeter.
2. A-Rod
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The Yankees made the mistake of paying Alex Rodriguez the largest contract is the history of sports in 2008.
It is no secret that Jeter and Rodriguez have been rivals for most of their career, even if they are on the same team.
Because the Yankees paid that money to Rodriguez, Jeter can afford to be a patient and wait for the Yankees to pay him what he wants.
1. The Yankees Overpay Everyone
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Over the past decade, the Yankees have made it a habit to overpay for any and every free agent on the market. Ultimately, this has caused some major flops the past few years.
I find it hard to believe the Yankees won't pay Jeter what he wants as soon as GM Brian Cashman has had answers from the marquee free agents on the market like Cliff Lee or Carl Crawford.
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