Derek Jeter becomes a free agent
When the clock struck midnight on 6 November, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter became a free agent for the first time in his 16-year Major League Baseball career. Talks had been
ongoing between Jeter and the Yankees, but a new contract could not be resolved prior to the start of the MLB free agency period.
Jeter’s recently expired contract ran for 10 years and $189 million. The 36-year-old captain of the Yankees had the worst statistical season of his career in 2010, hitting .270 with 10
home runs and 67 runs batted in. For his career, Jeter is a .314 hitter.
Items that have to be considered by the Yankees as well as Jeter and his agent are length of contract, amount of contract and how the deal the Yankees gave Alex Rodriguez will impact a
deal with Jeter.
Rodriguez is in the midst of a $275-$200 million contract that will take him to age 42.
The New York Daily News spoke to an anonymous MLB economic consultant who offered his take on a potential deal. “People say if you pay him $20 million (per year), you're paying him for
past performance, but part of it is that he's a brand-builder and there's marquee value. There's no way his playing performance justifies $20 million, but the combination of his performance and persona does, and even if the Yankees pay him $20 million, they'll
earn it out."
Wayne G. McDonnell, professor of sports management at New York University, had this to say: “This is a legacy contract. Yes, the Yankees are going to overpay. But look who you're overpaying
for, it's not A.J. Burnett. It's a guy who helped you win five championships, a bastion of baseball, someone who epitomizes class in a sport marred by avarice and performance-enhancing drugs."
Jeter is one of the most beloved players in Yankees history, mentioned alongside such legends as Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio. If the Yankees fail to sign Jeter to a new contract it will
surely cause some ill will with their fan base.
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