Derek Jeter would like to see the Alex Rodriguez saga end sooner than later, but understands it won’t.
Mariano Rivera is no longer Rodriguez’s teammate, but he believes in Rodriguez’s right to defend himself against the 211-game suspension handed him by MLB.
“I have been following it and I am aware of it,’’ Jeter told The Post at Thursday night’s launch of men’s underwear company Frigo in the Meatpacking District. “But it’s not like I am running for the newspapers. There have been so many reports. Everybody is looking forward to it being over, but it’s going to drag on for a while.’’
Like Jeter, Rivera isn’t immersed in his former teammate’s drama. However, he admitted if he were in Rodriguez’s position, there would be a challenge.
“I really wasn’t following it, but he has the right to defend himself. That’s all I can tell you,’’ Rivera said. “It’s not difficult; I would have done it, too. Everyone has to defend themselves. In a situation like that it’s hard, we are still human beings.
“Whatever he does, he is a grown-up He has the right to defend himself.’’
Rivera was honored by New Era and had the corner of East 4th and Broadway re-named Mariano Rivera Way for Thursday.
“I don’t want to second–guess no one. When he tells me something, I believe it. That’s my friend and he tells me something, I am going to believe it,’’ Rivera said.
Jeter, who recently signed a one-year deal for $12 million and plans on continuing as the Yankees’ starting shortstop said the early part of his offseason program has gone well.
“I started earlier this year, started in early November,’’ said Jeter, who is working on a strength program after suffering two fractures in the ankle, and quadriceps and calf injuries that limited him to 17 games this past season. He will begin baseball activities in January. “I feel great. It’s the first time I have gotten a chance to work out and I am happy I am getting the chance to strengthen it.’’
As for Robinson Cano’s future, Rivera only wants what is best for the free-agent second baseman.
“I told him this before, so I can say it. I want him to do what is right and what is good for him. Not for others,’’ Rivera said. “If he is comfortable playing in New York, he should be playing here.’’
Rivera says he offered Cano advice, but the decision is entirely up to his former teammate.
“I am not telling him what to do. He will make the decision based on whatever he feels comfortable. I don’t know what decision he is going to make, but I hope whatever decision he makes he will be happy,’’ Rivera said. “I tell him what I believe, but that’s my advice. It’s up to him to what he wants to do. The only thing I want him to do is to be happy.’’
Considering Rivera is recognized as the best relief pitcher ever and some argue the greatest pitcher of all time, the fact is he made roughly $169 million pitching.
Now Cano is looking for $310 million and the Yankees would like to keep it in the $170 million range for a player who already has made $58 million.
“It’s a lot of money, definitely, it’s a lot of money,’’ Rivera said. “But again that’s what I saw in the paper. I haven’t talked to him so I don’t know if it’s true or what but it’s a lot of money,’’ Rivera said.
The Yankees and the government of Panama are talking about the Yankees playing exhibition games there in March to honor Rivera in his native country.
“It’s amazing, hopefully it happens,’’ said Rivera, who plans on attending. “It will be something that I will never forget.’’