Derek Jeter’s Future in New York
By: Waseem Barazi
All you Yankees fans can breathe a sigh of relief. After reporting in to spring training this morning, Derek Jeter stated that the Yankees were the only organization he wants to play for. Jeter, who is in the final year of his 10-year $189 million contract did not go on to discuss his future contract and salary status, following team policy.
The 35 year old shortstop wants to keep playing for the Yankees as long as he’s having fun and is playing well there. Apparently Jeter said that the is not thinking about his future contract rate (good one, Derek). The contract is not just about money however. There are a few mitigating factors such as age, legacy, and popularity. If Jeter can’t get what he wants out of Steinbrenner, the Yankees owner, he would have to take into account whether or not his legacy would continue if he were to sign with another team. It seems that all too often a superstar will end their careers with a sub-par team just for monetary reward, with their legacy and popularity taking a hit in exchange.
It seems as though Derek Jeter is making the right choice in stating that the Yankees is the only organization hew wants to play for. It would be a shame to see Jeter fall to the wayside playing for a less popular team. If Jeter remains in New York for less cash than he would have received elsewhere, parents of young Yankees fans would be able to tell their children, with a straight face, that there are things more important than money.
Check out what Derek Jeter had to say in full: (Quotes courtesy of Bryan Hoch)
“This is the only organization I’ve ever wanted to play for,” Jeter said. “That’s still true today. I was a Yankees fan growing up, and this is where I want to be. I’ve never envisioned myself playing anywhere else, and hopefully I don’t have to.”
“I don’t have a problem with it,” Jeter said. “That’s the new policy that they have. They have every right to do that. I signed a long deal, I’m still under contract with that deal, and they have the right to do whatever they want.
“I’ve never gone into a season focused on the next season. My approach since Day One is to do whatever you can to help the team win in that particular year. I’m not thinking about what’s going to happen next season.”
“I never put limitations on how long I can play,” Jeter said. “I’m going to play as long as I’m enjoying myself. I’m having a blast right now. You work extremely hard in the offseason to make adjustments.
“I think I’ve done that, and I’m going to have to continue to make adjustments through the years. I want to play as long as I can, as long as I’m having fun, and as long as I’m being productive.”
“I’ve never been in that situation,” Jeter said. “I’ve never been a free agent; I’ve never wanted to be a free agent. That’s why I signed such a long deal. I felt, the longer the better, because I didn’t want to have to answer these questions.”
“I think it’s unfair to be talking about myself when we’re trying to win,” Jeter said. “That’s the approach I’ve always had. It’s not going to change. I know it’s going to cause speculation and stories out there, but it won’t be a distraction because I won’t be talking about it.”
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