MLB

After another talk, Yankees increase Jeter offer

With Derek Jeter’s camp showing movement, the Yankees on Thursday increased their three-year, $45 million offer to their captain.

How much the Yankees upped their offer wasn’t immediately known, but it was a direct result of Jeter’s camp getting back to the club after the sides didn’t communicate Wednesday. They met face-to-face Tuesday in Tampa.

That was the first time they eyeballed each other since Nov. 8 and was taken as a colossal step forward. The prgoress could lead to a deal being sealed before the Winter Meetings open Monday in Orlando.

When Tuesday night’s meeting ended, the ball was in Jeter’s sure hands. The shortstop and agent Casey Close took Wednesday to discuss their next step knowing the Yankees weren’t going near the four- or five-year deal worth $23 million a season the Yankees believed Jeter was seeking.

There was talk earlier in the week the Yankees might be willing to increase their offer by $5 million or $6 million but keep it at three years.

When the Yankees made their initial offer, it was widely pointed out that if Jeter accepted it he would be the highest-paid middle infielder in baseball even if he was taking a $6 million cut from the $21 million he made last season.

Troy Tulowitzki’s seven-year extension to an existing three-year pact pushed the Rockies shortstop’s annual average salary to $15.7 million. It’s possible after seeing the movement from Jeter’s camp the Yankees upped their offer so Jeter would top Tulowitzki’s average annual value.

For Jeter to land a four-year deal, it’s likely Close will have to get creative with a vesting option because the Yankees’ stance from the beginning of the process a month ago has been a three-year deal.

GM Brian Cashman admitted concern over Jeter’s performance the last couple of seasons. Jeter, who will be 37 in June, hit a career-low .270 last season.

Whether the Yankees are open to a vesting fourth year option isn’t known. Such an option can be based on games played and started, at-bats and plate appearances.