Jeter Contract Negotiations Stuck Between Stations

daniel.gene's flickr

What's it called when something that's universally acknowledged as a done-deal doesn't get done, but you still know it'll get done, so it's just kind of dragged out for weeks? Derek Jeter's contract negotiation!

The Yankees are trying to play some warped version of hardball with the Yankee Captain during the contract negotiations, acknowledging his importance to the team while also trying to keep things business-casual between the two sides. You'd think they couldn't have it both ways, but they've come up with a way to do so: Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner plays the good angel, reporting that talks are going just swell, while GM Brian Cashman plays the bad angel, giving Jeter tough love about his declining prowess, and refusing to talk to the media.

It's unlikely a deal will get hammered out before the new year, but as long as nobody does anything drastic and join the Red Sox, we think we'll all get through this.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Ben Yakas in News on November 17, 2010 4:22 PM

Comments [rss]

soxinthecity

No other team would give Jeter half of what the Yankees will end up paying him. They are going to grossly overpay him, and they know it.

I have all the respect in the world for Jeter, but he is nearly done. He is still the last player I want to see hitting against the Red Sox in a crucial moment though.

jaycjay

Sure, they'll pay him more than the on-field value of a typical player of his current abilities and age... and they should, because he's worth more to them from a financial standpoint that a replacement player, and more than he would be to any other team.

On the flip side, being a Yankee is more financially valuable to Jeter -- salary aside -- than would be being on any other team.

No question, Jeter will finish his playing days as a Yankee. Then, he'll remain in the organization after retiring as a player for at least some time. If he ever is involved with another franchise, it'll probably be as an owner.

jaycjay

"The Yankees are trying to play some warped version of hardball with the Yankee Captain during the contract negotiations"

Unless you have some inside track to what's actually being said between the parties, there's nothing to indicate that conclusion is accurate. In fact, the linked article runs counter to it:

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=5814961

They met last week, meetings and discussions have been ongoing through the past week. These are negotiations over a multi-million dollar business deal. Even if one hasn't before paid attention to how such deals tend to progress in the business of sports, the same thing is true is any business deal: a contract covering millions of dollars and a relationship of some number of years is a complex thing that everyone involved expects to take some time to work out.

142 players filed for free agency on the day Jeter did. 24 more players became free options because their contract options weren't exercised. Of those 166 free agents, only two -- Hiroki Kuroda and John Buck -- have commitments for next season so far.

Nothing to see here but business as usual.