WHAT 2014 HOLDS FOR JETER

I grew up in the era of the Core Four. I have watched them all go from rookie, to seasoned veterans in the game. I have watched the final seasons for Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, and Andy Pettitte, with a heavy heart, and sometimes tears. 2014 will be no different.

Derek Jeter, our wonderful, and well respected Captain, has officially signed a one year contract for $12m. Read 2014 will once again see Jeter in pinstripes. Considering that he only played in 17 games in 2013, that's great news. I'm sure every Yankees fan wants to see him on the field again. But how realistic is it to believe he will be at 100% when he returns?

There is no doubt that Jeter will want to contribute to the team to the best of his ability. That is just the way he is. His dedication to the team is what earned him the title as Captain. But after all the injuries, what will be considered "the best of his abilities"? I hate to say it. I really hate to be the one to point it out, but our captain is no spring chicken. In the world of sports, he is approaching that dreaded "R" word. Retirement. He'll be turning 40 in June. This season saw him riding pine, more than playing short stop. And with the repeat injury to that ankle, it's hard to imagine him going back to the player he was a few years ago.

I'm not saying that it is impossible. But it is improbable. Players, for the most part, do not get better with age. On the contrary. The time, and strenuous physical activity wears them down. Even the most valuable player sees himself as DH at the end of his career. It's just the way things work. Jeter will return, but I don't think we will see many starts with him in the short stop position. The fact is that he does not have the same range of motion he used to have. He's not as spry making the plays.

Jeter is a true leader, and a true competitor. If the right move to make is to put him at DH, for the sake of the team, he will make that move, and lead us from there. He will continue hustling down the first base line, but frankly, I think the better part of Jeter's career at short stop is over.

I know it is difficult to contemplate, and I know there are those that will crucify me for having said it. I understand, because I feel frustrated by it as well. We have become so accustomed to Jeter at short stop, that thinking about him having to abandon the position is heart wrenching. It is an adjustment we will have to make as fans to come to terms with it, the same way we came to terms with Jorge not catching, and will come to terms with Andy not starting, and Mo not closing. This is our reality. Jeter has had a fantastic career, and like all wonderful, and historic Yankees careers before him, it must inevitably come to a close.

Jeter is our leader, and will continue to be our leader until he decides to hang up his pinstripes. But things will change. His role on the team will shift. All we can really do is be grateful he has decided to return for the 2014 season. I for one look forward to next season, and plan on enjoying every game that Jeter is in. Maybe it is not the end, but it certainly is the beginning of the end. And I could not feel more honored to have witnessed it in it's entirety.

--Erica Morales BYB Senior Writer
Twitter: @e_morales1804



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