MLB Rumors: Derek Jeter Saga and Where Lee, Crawford, and Werth Could End Up

Derek Jeter, Carl Crawford, Cliff Lee, and Jayson Werth have the Hot Stove burning up and the MLB landscape is bound to look different, with Jeter the only one likely to end up back with the same team.

Rumors are flying around like mosquitoes in the summer time. The non-stop talk about Jeter can also be related to mosquitoes because they both do one thing to people: annoy them.  

Enough about mosquitoes, it's time to get back to Hot Stove talk and address everything worth talking about right now in baseball.

The Derek Jeter saga has continued on far too long and the fact that so much attention is devoted to it has become ridiculous. Jeter will be back with New York next season regardless of all the posturing that's going on.

Both sides are playing a pointless game of chicken. The Yankees—richest team in baseball—spend money like none other, yet they've decided to make a stand with its best player of all-time?

It isn't all of NY's fault because Jeter needs to come to terms that he isn't who he once was. The length of the deal should be three years and the fact that Jeter's fighting for more is absurd.

Play out the three-year deal and take it from there. As far as money goes, give Jeter 18-20 million per year and call it a day. If he thinks he deserves more than that, it's OK.

He'll eventually have to take it because no other team will come to the table and pony up that kind of dough for an over the hill shortstop.

Well, nobody knows that at the moment and Lee probably couldn't tell you that answer either. So far New York and Texas have met but there are supposedly other "mystery" teams also interested. 

Neither Texas or NY have made an offer yet to the coveted left-hander and Nolan Ryan has said that he expects negotiations to play out for weeks. The Rangers would be the sentimental choice for Lee after taking them to a World Series.

The Yankees are most likely to land the lefty due to being able to offer more money and the chance to compete for a World Series every season. Lee's been on the losing side of the World Series the past two seasons and you have to think he's dying to be on the winning side for a change.

It also doesn't hurt that his good buddy C.C. Sabathia resides in NY and the possibility of pairing up has to be enticing for Lee. 

A good deal to bring in Lee would be three years around 20 million, but it's probably going to take four or five years at close to 20 million to land the lefty.

For the Rangers, it appears that Lee may come at too high of a cost for them. 

The long-hairded bearded Jayson Werth could bring back a lot of memories for Red Sox fans. Memories of Johnny Damon and a bunch of "idiots" bring Red Sox Nation smiles

Boston needs to add punch to its lineup and Werth would be the perfect fit. The slugger nearly hit .300, blasted 27 home runs, and drove in 85 runs. 

For a team that was ravaged by injuries this past year, adding Werth would not only be adding an All-Star slugger, but it would also give the Sox depth.

There will be a lot of suitors for Werth's services, including resigning with Philadelphia. Many insiders are pointing to Anaheim as another possible landing spot for Werth. 

Whoever ends up winning the Werth sweepstakes is adding 25+ home runs to the line up and a guy who can drive in 100 RBI's year in and year out.

The Yankees are dominating Hot Stove headlines with the Jeter negotiations, wooing Lee, and the possibility of adding Crawford to an already star-studded lineup. If the Bronx Bombers land Lee and Crawford, the Yankees will be the overwhelming favorites to win the World Series.

Crawford is the best outfielder on the market and a game changer. The speed, power, and defense he brings are all fantastic.

New York may meet with Crawford next week and signing the left-fielder has to be a high priority, although the Yanks still have to devote most of its attention to resigning Jeter.

The thought of the Bombers adding Crawford has to make others around the MLB shudder.