"Numba two ... Derek Jeter ... Numba two."
The introduction from Bob Sheppard still lives on in Yankee Stadium even though the great New York Yankee announcer passed away this summer. His iconic voice only rings around the stadium for Derek Jeter, though, and if the Yankees are smart it will keep ringing in 2011.
Jeter is getting older and his game isn't as great as it used to be. Despite his play, his demeanor in the locker room is more than a good enough reason to resign him. As part of the Yankees "Core Four" – consisting of Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera – Jeter came up through the Yankees' farm system and has 15 years experience with them. As the team gets younger and younger, the Yankees will need a quality veteran presence, even if Jeter is close to 36.
His range is still there and his playoff performance was nothing to balk at. He can get on base, the problem is more that his teammates were leaving him there.
Money is no problem. The organization throws it around like it's lint in its pockets. So there's really nothing to discuss. Jeter is a historic Yankee, and more than that he's one even Yankee-haters can like. If the team loses Jeter they lose a good-playing, veteran shortstop and common link to the baseball world.
If the Yankees suddenly decide they don't have the money and they don't want Jeter to be a Yankee, I have the perfect solution. Send him down the subway to the Mets. They can put him at second base, round out the tight infield and get some good at-bats. The Mets are close to the top in salary, so Jeter could stay in New York and possibly make some good money. Win, win and definitely win.
