Back in Pinstripes

First of all, at least the Yankees were smart and are going to re-sign Derek Jeter. I'm glad to see it. Even though he is getting older and has not been as productive as he used to be, he is still the captain and he still deserves to be kept on the Yankees if for no other reason than his leadership qualities. Also, I know that his production has been down, but how many shortstops are there honestly that are very productive? There are some amazing ones, but generally speaking either shortstop or second base are relatively weak. There won't too many shortstops who are that much better than he is to offset the leadership that he brings to the Yankees and make it worth it to get rid of him. This issue kind of begs the question however if his paycheck will be way too much. The obvious answer is of course it will be. That is the nature of baseball today though. Players go to the highest bidder most of the time, so obviously that competition raises prices. It is unfortunate though because it makes a wide discrepancy between big and small market teams.
Photo by Rubenstein on Flickr

Hot Stove Season

Okay, if any of you remember my wheelchair ski jumping post, going down the ramp this morning was as close as I have ever gotten to experiencing this sport. However, we made it down and all was well. Now, you all may know that Christmas was one month from yesterday. Therefore, we are into the final month. How many of you have not started shopping yet? Anyway, while we are all shopping, so it's Major League Baseball. Unfortunately, the Phillies really haven't made much of a move yet as far as acquiring new talent. We have re-signed José Contreras, but the biggest question mark right now is Jayson Werth. The rumors have been flying that they might be finding a new team because the Phillies can't afford to keep him and his agent, Scott Boras. Also, with Dominic Brown waiting in the wings, there is a very capable replacement. Personally, I think that the most interesting story in regards to this free-agent season is Derek Jeter. Could it be that the man who has represented the Yankees for over a decade might be leaving the pinstripes? Personally, I hope he doesn't. The Yankees spend so much money anyhow, what does it matter if they overpay Jeter? Again personally, I don't think that $15,000,000 is too much for a player that has not much of an influence on a franchise. $15,000,000 is too much for anyone, but relative to the market, Jeter provides a lot more than just his talent. He is a leader that the Yankees would regret losing.
Photo by Keith Allison on Flickr

Pinstripe Pride

I am too young to remember a time without free agency. However, what I've heard about it sounds good to me. Think about it, an era where your favorite player could possibly play his entire career for your favorite team. I know, it's a crazy idea that seems foreign to people of my generation. Nevertheless, it did work once, and I believe it could possibly come around again if more guys were like Derek Jeter. I realize that he is the captain of a franchise that for many seems to symbolize all that is wrong with the free agency system. However, Derek is entering the final year of a massive contract that has kept him in Yankee pinstripes for his entire career. What does he want to do next year? Quite simply, according to a report I read, he wants to stay in New York for the rest of his career. How many players that have retired in the past 10 years can you think of who played their entire careers with one team? The most reason I can think of who actually played for more than a cup of coffee was Cal Ripken Jr. What a radical idea! Ripken played approximately two decades in Baltimore while many players today are lucky to spend two years in one city. The article I linked to earlier cites the fact that the Yankees might not be able to afford the big bucks Jeter will demand. If Derek wants to spend his entire career in New York bad enough, he won't demand more than the Yankees will pay. Also, there is no way that the Yankees would be cheap with Derek Jeter for public opinion sake. He is a popular player; the Yankees I do not believe would risk the public perception of being cheap with a player who has essentially been the face of their franchise. The Yankees are very frugal in only one way; they do not willingly pass out the title of captain. Derek is one of the few and is therefore in elite company. All in all, I hope that Derek stays with the Yankees. He is a great player, and I would hate to see anything that could result from a unhappy separation damage his reputation.