Derek Jeter to test out the market
With a three-year, $45 million dollar contract on the table, Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman have been unable to reach an agreement for a new contract.
Jeter wants a four-year deal close to what he was making last season ($21 million), but the Yankees have suggested to their 11-time all-star shortstop that he should test out the free agent market after the Yankees denied him arbitration.
"We understand his contributions to the franchise and our offer has taken them into account. We've encouraged him to test the market and see if there's something he would prefer other than this. If he can, fine. That's the way it works," said Cashman, according
to mlb.com.
Jeter’s numbers are some of the best at shortstop, leading some to believe the Yankees are low-balling him for his contract.
His hitting numbers were respectable, with Jeter finishing first out of all American League shortstops in runs, first in hits, second in walks, fourth in runs batted in and sixth in home runs.
Meanwhile, his fielding has been like a fine wine, only getting better with age, with his fielding percentage steadily increasing over the past four seasons, culminating with a .989 this season.
He also only made six errors out of 553 chances and turned 94 double plays with his partner Robinson Cano, some of the top numbers in the AL.
He has five Gold Glove awards, four Silver Sluggers, two Hank Aaron awards, and has also won a World Series Most Valuable Player, a Roberto Clemente award and Rookie of the Year.
"We believe that Derek Jeter is the best person to play shortstop for this franchise moving forward," Cashman said. "Do we want to lose Derek Jeter? No. Do we want to treat Derek Jeter fair? Absolutely. Do we want to be treated fair at the same time? No question
about it."
His accolades speak for themselves, as Jeter has supplanted himself as one of the best shortstops to ever put on the Yankees pinstripes and if the Yankees fail to sign him, the relationship will turn very sour.
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