Derek Jeter doesn’t want to go anywhere. At the same time, he got his message across to the Yankees. When it comes time to negotiate again, they are going to have to pay to keep him in pinstripes for the rest of his career.
Jeter yesterday clarified comments he made to ESPN’s Rick Reilly in a recent Q&A. In the interview, Jeter was asked, “Peyton Manning changed teams this season after 14 seasons with the one team. Could you see yourself doing that?”
Jeter responded, “Well, if I wanted to keep playing, yes. It’s a business. People forget that.”
Before the Yankees’ 2-1, 10-inning win over the Athletics last night at Yankee Stadium, Jeter told a swarm of reporters: “I’ll tell you what went down. I was asked about Peyton Manning, going from Indianapolis to Denver. The question was in reference to if the organization doesn’t want you around anymore, do you still want to play?
“You have no choice but to go to another team, I think its common sense. I’m glad you guys had fun with it. It was about Peyton Manning.
“I think it’s comical that we’re talking about it after I told you guys time and time again, I can’t picture myself playing anywhere else, have fun with it,’’ Jeter added. “It’s a business; there are two sides to a business, that’s what the reference was.
“I’ve been asked this question 100 times and I told you guys the same thing.’’
Asked by if he wants to finish his career with the Yankees, Jeter answered: “That’s what I told you my whole focus has been since Day 1 so why are we even talking about it? I think it’s comical after I’ve been pretty vocal every time [I’ve been] asked the same question. It’s even more amusing that we’re talking about it now.’’
Is he still upset with the organization over the negotiations before the 2011 season?
“Come on now,’’ Jeter said. “There was joking around in the whole interview. I’ve been down this road before, nothing has changed. It’s really not a big deal. Have fun with it as much as you like. I understand I was on the front page, back page. Then you guys wonder why I don’t tell you anything. I don’t answer any questions because something like this happens.’’
Brian Cashman and the House of Steinbrenner know Jeter wants to stay in pinstripes. The solution for the Yankees is simple: Pay the man. It would be smart to work out a new contract after this season. He is signed through 2013 and has a player option for 2014. Jeter, 38, leads the majors with 203 hits.
The owner of 3,290 career hits, Jeter is back to his old swing, a swing that is built to last. “The way he inside-outs the ball, that swing could continue to be successful for a long time,’’ an AL East executive told me.
Another 200-hit season is not out of the question; 4,000 hits are not out of the question. Passing Pete Rose as baseball’s all-time hit leader is not out of the question. It has to happen as a Yankee. Even if Jeter’s career ends badly, it has to end as a Yankee.
Alex Rodriguez was asked how difficult would it be to see Jeter play in another uniform.
“That’ll never happen,’’ Rodriguez said. “I never see Derek playing in a [different] uniform. I see him forever for the next 1,000 years in pinstripes. Even when he’s 50 or 60, who knows? He’ll still be probably helping out and being a leader and being a captain to the Yankee franchise.”
Babe Ruth played his last season as a Boston Brave. That was wrong. Jeter has to end with the Yankees. During Jeter’s most recent contract negotiations, I wrote: “If the frugal Colorado Rockies can give their shortstop [Troy Tulowitzki] $20 million a season, the cash cow Yankees can do the same for Derek Jeter.’’
Nothing has changed, except Derek Jeter has gotten better with age.