$189 MILLION ISN'T A EASY WITH A HOT DEREK JETER

Many assumed that Derek Jeter would probably hang it up after his contract ends with the Yankees after that 2013 season.  Believe me, at the time of his re-signing, Yankee brass assumed his contract and his incredible Yankee career would be over by 2013. What I mean is, Jeter's old, and it's logical to assume that he'd be on the downside of his career by then. Well, Jeter assumed they'd assume that... and Jeter made some adjustments...and just when the world doubted Derek Jeter... he wronged them again...
God Dammit I love the Captain.

But say Jeter rides this hot streak into June, or August, or say this entire season and the World Series and he never slows down throw 2013...then what? What I mean is, if the Captain continues to be hot as hell, will Jeter want to exercise his 2014 option at that point? Then what? There will be headaches for Yankee brass... because Yankee fans know that Yankee brass wants to get that payroll down... but logically, they can't exactly do that if they want to also sign Robinson Cano to a long term deal and re-sign Curtis Granderson too. See what I mean? It's a tough call, no one said being the Yankees was easy, but trust me, it's my opinion that the Yankees and Derek Jeter dig each other and while the Yanks may have thought he'd leave after 2013... Jeter is the only one who holds the answer and if he's still kicking ass, I think it's safe to say he's not going anywhere.

Bob Klapisch of the Bergen Record had this nugget HERE and that's where I got the idea to write this piece: "(Jeter's) contract runs through 2013 at $17 million per, and he holds the option for what could be another $17 million in 2014, based on points earned for Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, League Championship and World Series MVP or finishing in the top six in the American League MVP voting.

Until now, team officials have assumed the captain would bow out gracefully after the ’13 season, before he turned 40, and not have to worry about paying him in ’14 when the payroll is supposed to be cut to $189 million.

Without Jeter and Mariano Rivera on the books, the Yankees have calculated they’ll have enough flexibility to afford Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson, both of whom will be free agents.

But Jeter could crash the equation by continuing to hit at elite-caliber levels. Not only does the captain want to play through 2014, he’s told friends he’d like to extend his career to age 45."

Derek Jeter playing on the Yankees until he's 45? Look, if he has figured out his hitting like he has...believe it.  Plus, that's not only something the Yankees would pass by, there's always the possibility that whispers of 4000 hits could start being heard. The Yankees love record in their uniform, would they keep Jeter around? Maybe go year to year after that? And what does it mean for Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson...2 guys the Yankees would love to ALSO keep? There will be many questions to answer, and sure, everything here is speculation, but you need to think ahead and keep this in the back of your mind.

What will a guy like Cano, who's agent is Scott Boras demand? And will the Yankees who have already shown that they are distancing themselves from Boras play his games for Cano?  How about Granderson? Would the Yanks be forced to say goodbye and perhaps move Jeter into the outfield in his 2014 season if need be? Will they just make other cuts to keep all three and continue to have great leadership on the Yankees?  Alot of questions... unfortunately, I don't have the answers... just alot of thinking going on.

Remember this post... we'll be talking about it at the end of the 2013 season... trust me.

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