Correction: In an earlier version of this post, a quote attributed to Marc Carig of The Star-Ledger was inaccurately transcribed by that source. Carig provided Cashman’s corrected quote (“He should be nothing but a New York Yankee, if he chooses to be”) via his twitter feed.
The Yankees’ negotiations with Derek Jeter have finally turned a little ugly, and all of the blame falls on the ill tempered tongue of Brian Cashman.
Speaking to reporters today, Cashman lobbed several verbal grenades in Jeter’s directions, despite earlier vows by the Yankees that the contract would not be negotiated in the press. At ESPNNewYork.com, Wallace Matthews quoted Cashman almost antagonistically daring Jeter to test the open market, while questioning his shortstop’s age and “recent performance of the last few years.” Even if Jeter didn’t have one of his best seasons in 2009, it would be bad form to so openly question the future ability of a player with whom you are supposedly negotiating with in good faith.
Meanwhile, several sources quoted Cashman as saying that while the Yankees have made several offers to Jeter, only one proposal, for more money and years, has been sent in reply. So much for not negotiating in public?
Even if everything he has said is correct, Cashman’s comments this afternoon were way out of line. After all, over the last 15 years, Jeter has not only provided Yankees fans with countless thrills, but also been the epitome of what the organization is all about. Does that mean he should be given a blank check? Of course not. But, it does demand that he be treated with the utmost respect, even if it seems as if his side is being unreasonable in its demands. Comments that either denigrate Jeter or have the potential to antagonize him are not only counterproductive, but blasphemous. If the Yankees make a fair offer and Jeter refuses it, then they’ll have no need to defend their actions. However, if they continue to conduct the negotiations with a tone similar to the one taken by Cashman today, they’ll be no defense.
Whether or not you believe Jeter deserves a “life time achievement award” or compensation for “intangible value” built into his contract extension, I’d like to think every Yankee fan agrees the Captain deserves to have the negotiations handled in a respectful manner. More importantly, I’d like to think Cashman, Randy Levine, Hal Steinbrenner and the rest of the Yankees’ brass are also on board with that sentiment. Up until this point, they haven’t seemed to be, but here’s hoping they return to a more dignified posture going forward. Otherwise, a failure to do so could wind up being the only thing that prevents a deal from getting done.
this will eventually end with the yankees and jeter agreeing to something near the 3 year and $45 million that is currently on the table. cashman really doesn’t need to play his usual games with free agents with jeter. the method to that strategy is to make it seem as if the team is making a generous offer so that when the player leaves the organization can say well we offered him a contract at above market value he was stupid or too greedy not to take it. that tact won’t work with jeter. cashman could never turn the fans against jeter
Dear Mr. Jeter
I would loike to know if you evr recieved the plaque that I sent to you on winning the Allstar MVP as well as the world series MVP awards.
I never got an answer one way or an other.
God bless and thank you for being a Yankee
My best regards
Frank J Guarino.Sr.
William, aren’t Jeter and his agent being “disrespectful” by insisiting in a contract that his current level of play does not warrant? Jeter is the “Captain”, he should think of the team now..he’s not some young kid out for his first payday to take care of his family. He’s cleard $189 million (pre-tax) so far…I am Jeter’s age, love him almost as much as I love Mariano..but at some point, reality must be acknowledged. He cannot play SS anymore…
First off, we really don’t know what they are insisting upon. Also, before last year, Jeter posted an OPS+ above 120 in four of the previous five seasons. According to fangraphs, which hammers him on defense, Jeter’s value was more than $20mn per season. Is it really “disrespectful” if Jeter thinks his value is closer to that level, established over five recent seasons, than the one Yankees’ are using based on only one year?
As for his ability to play SS, I am not sure why you think he can’t do it anymore, but regardless, whether he signs for $1 million or $20 million, that’s exactly where he is going to be playing for at least the next two seasons.
Yankee fans are used to a revolving door of high priced rental players, including signing and embracing the same players who beat them the year before- r Johnson, j Damon, giambi, Clemens, etc. Like a dog eating whatever is in front of it, yankee fans will either hate jeter or love him in a few weeks, ala Joe and frank torrie.