The amusing situation between Derek Jeter and the Yankees

How long until the New York Yankees realize Jeter just isn't good enough? (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Derek Jeter recently returned from a calf injury that sidelined him for nearly a month. The New York Yankees didn’t miss a beat without their shortstop, winning of 14 of 18 games and taking the top spot in the American League East.

Eduardo Nunez filled in nicely in his stead, hitting .339 as a starter to make up for his problems in the field. Nick Swisher and Brett Gardner handled Jeter’s leadoff spot well, anchoring one of baseball’s most potent offenses and as big a reason for the team’s success as anyone.

Now, Nunez is regulated to spot-duty, while Swisher and Gardner are moved down in the lineup. Move aside, role players, for The Captain has returned.

Jeter was named as an All-Star starter, despite missing so much time and ranking near the bottom in many statistical categories among American League shortstop. But his laughable selection to the All-Star team isn’t the biggest reason why his name is in the news; his current standing statistically is. He went 0-4 in his return in a loss to the Cleveland Indians, dropping his batting average to .256 and his on-base-percentage to an equally terribly .320. And he is back to hitting leadoff, a position in the lineup that hurts the Yankees but seems fine by him.

He is in the first year of a four-year contract and is undeniably over the hill. He has little range at shortstop and lessened ability at the plate. This is clear. But if he continues to struggle will the Yankees have the guts to move down such an icon in the lineup? And if they desired to do so, would he accept a demotion? Judging by his ego during this past winter’s eventful contract negotiations, odds are he would take the idea of a smaller role well.

If he wasn’t a career-long Yankee, a winner of four World Series Championships, and the leader of the team he would be deserving of a bench role. He has been that poor this season, but just as his reputation penciled him in as an All-Star starter manager Joe Girardi will have a tough task on his hands trying to handle Jeter’s ego.

He could get on a hot streak and be successful the rest of the season. It could turn out that he plays so well the Yankees won’t need to make a move. But what about the three seasons after this one? If he doesn’t struggle the rest of this season he is certain to in the coming years.

Two hits in a Tuesday night win put the future Hall of Famer only four away from 3,000 for his career. Exemplified by his approaching this milestone he has been one of baseball’s better players throughout his tenure in New York. And he has always been someone who is to be respected. Yet, he is in his final chapter, at 37 years old. He may think he has plenty left in him, but his statistics and overall mobility suggest otherwise. Aging stars don’t want to be told they aren’t who they used to be, or that their production isn’t worthy a starter’s label. And they don’t want to step aside so vibrant youth can have the chance to excel in their place.

Given this, if he struggles after passing the 3,000 hit mark, what then? The Yankees, if they haven’t already realized his door is closing, surely will have the desire to make a change. Inevitably informing Jeter of this will undoubtedly create a stir, and will it ever be intriguing and amusing.