Jilted by Jeter?



The Yankees have won 5 world championships since Derek Jeter became their everyday SS in 1996. Since the beginning of the Steinbrenner era in 1973, the Yankees have committed to putting the best product on the field for their fans – nearly to the tune of a “win at all costs” approach.

After the 2000 season, the Yankees rewarded their 26 year-old shortstop with a 10-year, $189million contract. Jeter had come off three of his best seasons as a professional:

1998 – .324 average, 19 HR, 84 RBI, 127 Runs, 203 Hits, 30 SB

1999 – .349 average, 24 HR, 102 RBI, 134 Runs, 219 Hits, 19 SB

2000 – .339 average, 15 HR, 73 RBI, 119 Runs, 201 Hits, 22 SB

On top of that, he was the unquestioned leader on a team that had won 4 world championships in 5 years. He was a career .300+ hitter over the course of his 5 postseason appearances, and had come up with big clutch hits time and time again. At the time, going into the 2001 season, Jeter’s contract was the richest deal ever signed by a Major League Baseball player.

The YANKEES Camp

The Yankees have made Derek Jeter a very rich man. At the time Jeter was a free agent, they signed him to a contract well above market value in order to ensure that he would be a career Yankee, and that they rewarded him for his contributions to the 4 (at the time) world championships.

Derek Jeter has made over $20 million per year over the last 5 years. Since the 1999 season, he has not hit higher than .349, or more than 24 HR, or driven in more than 102 runs, or scored more than 134 runs, or had more than 219 hits.

While remaining a very productive player, a perennial all-star, and someone who has etched an iconic chapter in Yankee history, he has been overpaid based on his statistics alone. He has been the highest paid shortstop in baseball since 2004, but has not been considered by the majority to be the best statistical SS in baseball during that time. He has driven in over 80 runs only once since signing the contract.

There is criticism about his range in the field, and he has come under scrutiny for grounding into double plays.



"Uggh Jeter....Good luck getting your 3,000th hit with the Pirates!!"
Some fans became frustrated this year with Jeter's GIDP numbers.



The Yankees feel a responsibility to their fans to put the best product on the field. While they recognize the high esteem with which many fans hold Derek Jeter (evidenced by their 3-yrs/$45million offer), they cannot afford to hamstring themselves from signing future free agents to compensate a 37-40 year old shortstop. 

The JETER Camp

While Derek Jeter has been rewarded handsomely by the Yankees over his time in pinstripes, he has played the role of “good soldier” as much as a $200 million man can. He has batted all over the lineup for the good of the team. Despite the fact that he plays like a natural #2 hitter, he spent many years batting leadoff because the Yanks lacked a true leadoff man. The argument could be made that this cut into his RBI numbers. As previously mentioned, he has topped 80 RBI only once since 2000.

He has watched as the Yankees signed high priced free agents, with no postseason track record, to salaries above what he was making – even as he made $20 million a year. Alex Rodriguez, C.C. Sabathia, Jason Giambi of recent. Chuck Knoblauch, Orlando Hernandez before he had signed this contract.



Did Chuck Knoblauch deserve more respect as a free agent than Derek Jeter?

He watched Alex Rodriguez dis’ the Yankees by opting out of his contract, only to have the Yankees swoop back in (while nobody else was going after A-Rod) and give him 10 years/$275 million. Alex will make $31 million in 2011.

It is not even a question that Jeter has been more vital to the Yankees success over the last 15 years than Alex Rodriguez, or any other player (even Mariano Rivera).  So, while he has been the most vital cog, others have been getting paid more.

PEP’S VIBE

I can’t get on board with anyone who’s going to kill Jeter’s play on the field. The guy produces, and has produced. Despite hitting .270 this year with only 10 HR, he still scored 111 runs – batting leadoff the whole year. He had a .340 on-base percentage, stole 18 bases, and made only 6 errors in 553 chances.

His last two statistical years at SS have been the best of his career. The en vogue criticisms of his defense are that he does not get to as many balls as other shortstops and that he can’t get to balls to his left. You’re still a pretty damn good shortstop if you play in 150+ games and make under 10 errors.



Jeter patented the jump throw from the hole, but people are quick to kill his defense.

He is the most iconic New York Yankee in the 37-year history of the Steinbrenner era, and is clearly in the discussion with Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, and Yogi Berra as among the greatest Yankees of all time. Jeter is at a level above the Reggie Jacksons, Bill Dickeys, Ellie Howards, Phil Rizzutos, etc. of the Yankee retired numbers.

Billy struggled writing "Rizzuto". I wonder what would happen if he tried to write "Jeter" (cursive J's are hard!)

I originally scratched my head as to why Jeter would make waves at a deal that would pay him $15million a year. But I’ve started to change my mind.

The exchange between Jeter’s agent and the Yankees is disappointing:

·         Yankees offer what many thought was a fair deal.

·         Jeter’s agent publicly calls the deal “baffling”

·         Brian Cashman urges Jeter publicly to “test the market”

·         Hank Steinbrenner says:

"As much as we want to keep everybody, we've already made these guys very, very rich, and I don't feel we owe anybody anything monetarily," the Yankees co-chairman said Tuesday. "Some of these players are wealthier than their bosses."

Hank Steinbrenner was quick to throw money at A-Rod. Will Jeter get the same treatment?

This is what kills me about the situation. Keep it behind closed doors! It does not benefit the Yankees to throw mud on Derek Jeter and paint him as greedy (even if they feel that way). It does not benefit Derek Jeter to publicly come across as greedy. This should all be discussed behind closed doors, especially because of the long history they have together. Both sides want to get the deal done, and Jeter is not talking with any other teams. Just be patient and talk behind closed doors.

As for the deal itself, I’ve changed my stance. I think they need to pay him more. In writing this blog, I reacquainted myself with some of the “off-the-field” financial escapades of the New York Yankees over the last 15 years.

The Yankees severely underpaid Jeter for quite a few years before signing this deal. They almost brought him back at the league minimum again in 1997 after he won the AL Rookie of the Year and a World Series. He made $750,000 in 1998 while putting up the numbers shown above, and finishing 3^rd in AL MVP voting. Pretty good bargain if you ask me.

Meanwhile, the Yankees have wined and dined free agents over the years and shown them more financial respect than they are showing Jeter. Jason Giambi made $23.5 million each of his last 2 years in pinstripes. JASON GIAMBI!!!

We all liked the mustache. But there was little else to like about Jason Giambi's time in New York.

I don’t think $20 million a year would be too steep, or maybe concede the 4^th year and pay him less per.

GET IT DONE!