Okay, so the New York Yankees contract negotiations regarding the big three of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Cliff Lee are not going quite as fans had hoped.
All the media hearsay and quotes coming from Yankee Camp has the Universe on edge. Some people, like myself, have turned to inventing conspiracy theories to try and justify what could be going on. The truth is turning into the predicted “messy” situation no one wanted.
The latest is GM Brian Cashman throwing Lee a check worth $115-$120 million for five years of his talents.
Over at Rivera’s camp, rumor has it that the asking price will cost the Yankees $36 million for two years of Mo’s services. Is Mo out of his mind to ask for a raise?
Yes because he is not better. He’s still great, but showed a little wear and tear the last two seasons. To be asking for $six million more than his 2009 salary of $15 million per season is a little ridiculous.
Then you have to consider the tough position being taken with the ex-Captain. If the latest rumor that the Yankees front office has resorted to “arbitration-ambush” is true, then it’s so degrading considering that they are dealing with a living icon, not only to the Yankees, but what he represents to the city of New York as a hometown hero.
Here is what is so bothersome about this whole process, it seems the Yankees are way undervaluing the Captain’s presence. If Jeter goes elsewhere, the jeopardy it could potentially cause the organization, as a whole, will be worse than people are predicting.
New Yorkers will be pissed off and being well aware that not going to games means less money made, don’t think there won’t be some protesters urging fans to not go.
Also, Jeter and Rivera’s leadership is irreplaceable for the players. My bet is that without both of them, the Yankees will not make the playoffs in 2011. Jeter would be worse considering A-Rod might fall apart now that Jeter and him are friends.
Not to mention how it would affect Robbie Cano, who’s looked up to the Captain since day one. Jorge Posada is a best buddy of Jeter and very close with Mo and he could just not care anymore to win without them.
Everyone is saying it will happen, but with each passing day the media sticks the dagger in further which it is not comforting at all. It’s better for the Yankees to give a little more, as the saying goes it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Lee is getting shown the money to play in the Bronx, but more teams than just the Texas Rangers are rumored to be going after Lee. Hopefully Cashman has made a call to CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett to go do some pinstripe-PR with their friend.
Are the players being too greedy? Or is the organization at fault for showing how loyalty is still meaningless?
As Hal Steinbrenner has made clear that the negotiations are “business decisions”, which I found cold because what’s wrong with treating a loyal employee like family. “The Boss” will roll over in his grave if this gets as “messy” as his son said before it even started.
People are not robots and there’s nothing wrong with communicating to the two veterans more civilly in my opinion.
Why not ask Jeter and Mo what they think they are worth?
That could be a starting point, and Cashman, along with President Randy Levine, already pissed of Jeter’s agent Casey Close into making this statement:
“There’s a reason the Yankees themselves have stated Derek Jeter is their modern-day Babe Ruth. Derek’s significance to the team is much more than just stats. And yet, the Yankees’ negotiating strategy remains baffling. They continue to argue their points in the press and refuse to acknowledge Derek’s total contribution to their franchise.”
Well, Close jammed his foot in his mouth comparing Jeter and the Babe. Ruth went to the Boston Braves instead of resigning with the Bombers at the end of his career.
All I can say as a Jeter and Mo lifelong fan is that I am about to write a letter to Santa asking for the pair for Christmas. I am just not ready to let go yet and will not be a happy fan if this goes sour.
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