Derek Jeter thinks the Yankees will do anything to keep him. The Yankees have no such idea. The team synonymous with over-paying is taking a backseat approach to negotiations with one of their all-time greats.
Jeter and his agent are believed to want somewhere in the neighborhood of $20+ million over four or more years. That's about $80-100 million for a 36-year old shortshop coming off his least productive season in 15 years. The Yankees also just got done paying him $189 million over the last decade, which included one World Series ring.
Normally, the Yankees make ridiculous signings that make no sense and are completely over-priced. Like Mark Teixeira's 8-year, $180 million contract a couple years ago. Paying Alex Rodriguez $33 million to play third base is also laughable, but that's what the Yankees do. Apparently those days are over.
Yankees brass, Hal Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman, have drawn a line in the sand. They've made it clear they want Derek Jeter to remain a Yankee but have made their offer, 3 years and $45 million. That seems fair. Can you put a price on what Jeter has meant to the Yankees? Clearly you can and they've paid it throughout his career. This new contract would put him over $230 million for what he's done for the Yankees.
Sources say the Yankees told Jeter to "drink the reality potion." He needs to. He's a Hall of Famer, a Yankee legend and brought back the franchise to dominance in the mid-to-late 90s with clutch play. But he's also near the end of the line. He's got a few more decent years in him, no doubt. But not $20 million a year's worth.
Jeter needs the Yankees more than the Yankees need Jeter. They already got everything from him - four rings, millions of fans and a Hall of Fame career. Now they're throwing him a $45 million bone, allowing him to add to career totals while remaining a Yankee for life. In three years, it will be time to exit gracefully with class, just like he handled his entire career.
It's not Jeter's fault Teixeira and ARod are making more than him at this point but there's nothing he can do about it now. They don't have the stature, resume or legacy Jeter does but they were in better negotiating position when the contracts were signed. The contract of Jeter's career was inked in 2001, which was second only to ARod's ridiculous Rangers' contract at the time.
The Yankees and Jeter will work something out. Nobody wants to see him in Arizona or on some other irrelevant team. They're giving him the opportunity to test the free agent market. Teams will be interested but will it be worth leaving the Yankees for a few extra million? That's assuming there are teams offering more than $45 million for three years.
The Yankees may bump it up a few million over the course of the three years during the negotiation process. Jeter and his agent are playing hard ball right now. For the sake of the Yankees, Jeter and major league baseball fans, Jeter needs to accept the offer and retire a Yankee.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Mowdown in Miami
The Bears defense ran over a completely inept Tyler Thigpen-led offense to improve to a division-leading 7-3. The Dolphins didn't get past the Bears 35-yard line. They couldn't even get into position to bring out the field goal unit. The Dolphins were shutout at home for the first time since 2001. That's impressive considering the gang of misfits the Dolphins have been running out there at quarterback in the last 10 years.
Not many teams are going to lose to Miami last night. The team had no confidence in Thigpen, and it looked like he had no confidence in himself. The Bears defense deserves some credit but Thigpen's play was not competitive. Brandon Marshall didn't do him any favors by dropping two balls before tweaking his hamstring and leaving the game. Jake Long played with his shoulder in a harness. They were using a 3rd-string guard at center. On top of that, Sparano abandoned the run game from the git-go, placing even more pressure on Thigpen. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams combined for 11 yards on only 6 carries. They were 0-5 on third down conversions.
The Bears are 7-3 and lead the division. How seriously should I take that record? It seems legitimate. Last night's shutout ensured the Bears will be in first place in the NFC North for at least one more week.
At face value, the Bears are a good team with with one of the best defenses in the league. If you look into each Bears game, you'll see a cause for concern. Look at the teams they've beat.
Carolina 1-8
Buffalo 1-8
Dallas 2-7
Detroit 2-7
Minnesota 3-6
Miami 5-5
Green Bay 6-3 Total: 20-45
Side note: Miami and Green Bay were decimated by injuries at the time.
You can only beat who's on your schedule. For that I will give the Bears credit. They are going out and getting it done 70 percent of the time and that's great in the NFL. The consistency is improving but let's wait a few more weeks before we crown them.
Bears remaining schedule: vs Philadelphia, @ Detroit, vs New England, @ Minnesota (Mon), vs NY Jets, @ Green Bay. Combined record: 31-23
Another Thing:
Let's compare the Bears to who I feel are the top teams in the NFC - Atlanta and Philadelphia.
Atlanta is 7-2. The record of opponent in wins is 29-34. Three wins over 6-3 teams.
Philadelphia 6-3: Record of those 6 wins: 27-27. And they beat Atlanta.
The Giants are suspect as well, like Chicago: They've only beat two teams over .500, and one is Seattle.
Not many teams are going to lose to Miami last night. The team had no confidence in Thigpen, and it looked like he had no confidence in himself. The Bears defense deserves some credit but Thigpen's play was not competitive. Brandon Marshall didn't do him any favors by dropping two balls before tweaking his hamstring and leaving the game. Jake Long played with his shoulder in a harness. They were using a 3rd-string guard at center. On top of that, Sparano abandoned the run game from the git-go, placing even more pressure on Thigpen. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams combined for 11 yards on only 6 carries. They were 0-5 on third down conversions.
The Bears are 7-3 and lead the division. How seriously should I take that record? It seems legitimate. Last night's shutout ensured the Bears will be in first place in the NFC North for at least one more week.
At face value, the Bears are a good team with with one of the best defenses in the league. If you look into each Bears game, you'll see a cause for concern. Look at the teams they've beat.
Carolina 1-8
Buffalo 1-8
Dallas 2-7
Detroit 2-7
Minnesota 3-6
Miami 5-5
Green Bay 6-3 Total: 20-45
Side note: Miami and Green Bay were decimated by injuries at the time.
You can only beat who's on your schedule. For that I will give the Bears credit. They are going out and getting it done 70 percent of the time and that's great in the NFL. The consistency is improving but let's wait a few more weeks before we crown them.
Bears remaining schedule: vs Philadelphia, @ Detroit, vs New England, @ Minnesota (Mon), vs NY Jets, @ Green Bay. Combined record: 31-23
Another Thing:
Let's compare the Bears to who I feel are the top teams in the NFC - Atlanta and Philadelphia.
Atlanta is 7-2. The record of opponent in wins is 29-34. Three wins over 6-3 teams.
Philadelphia 6-3: Record of those 6 wins: 27-27. And they beat Atlanta.
The Giants are suspect as well, like Chicago: They've only beat two teams over .500, and one is Seattle.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Supercool Beas
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| A new start in Minnesota |
Beasley shot 17-31 from the floor, collected nine rebounds and shined hope on what looks like another dismal Timberwolves season. His previous career-high was 30 points.
Drafted second by Miami at 19, Beasley made some youthful mistakes and suffered some consequences. A couple dust-ups with marijuana, a couple ill-fated Twitter posts and a reported trip to rehab. A lot can happen to a 19-year old with millions of dollars on South Beach.
All of those things are now in the past, including the Miami lifestyle and spotlight that accompanies the Heat everywhere they go. In the Land of 10,000 Lakes Beasley can truly begin his career. The abundance of playing time available in Minnesota will help his development playing the 3 and 4 positions.
"He's playing small forward but is probably more comfortable playing power forward," head coach Kurt Rambis said. "He's got a great human spirit about him. He has an enthusiasm for the game, a passion for life."
Beasley will continue to improve and grow as a person and player. Let's not chalk him up as a bust just yet. And maybe the T'Wolves won't finish with the worst record of all-time.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The Best and Worst
When Minnesota appears on the Lakers schedule nobody gets excited. Fans and television viewers don't take notice. What last night's game represented was seeing the opposite ends of the spectrum in the NBA. Best vs. Worst. Title contender vs. 10-win contender. Defending champs vs. some guys and Rambis. Without League Pass or tickets you'll never see this game. It provides a unique dynamic and illustrates how different two teams can be in the this league.
Last night proved to be no different. Minnesota shocked most people by keeping it close until the end and only losing 99-94. But nobody in the building or at home watching ever felt like the T-Wolves ever had a chance. The Lakers napped through the game and still won without breaking a sweat. They exerted only enough energy to control the game and win.
After two-plus weeks into the season, it's clear the Lakers are once again on a mission. Title or bust. Bumping along with a few new players, who seem to have picked up the offense and mentality seamlessly. Steve Blake and Matt Barnes have both been very productive in limited roles. Barnes at 9.1 ppg and 6.1 reb in just over 20 minutes. Blake is shooting 50 percent in threes (14-28). Compare that to Jordan Farmar, who Blake replaced as back-up point guard. Farmar is shooting 28 percent (7-28) with the Nets so far this year.
The T'Wolves, on the other hand, don't even have enough quality guys to fill out a starting line-up. If Rambis isn't careful, this year's Wolves could let the '72-'73 Sixers off the hook for worst record of all-time (9-73). Darko Milicic starts for them. He's 7'0" and is shooting 28 percent from the field. There's a reason he is known as the worst #2 pick of all time. Speaking of #2 picks, Michael Beasley is also a starter. I'm in Beasley's corner, like parts of his game, but the production hasn't equaled the potential. In another year or two I hope he's put it all together. He's still very young, where as Darko is in his 8th season.
Bottom line: The Lakers are clearly the best team in the league right now. 8-0 is the best start for LA since the 1997-98 season. All the focus and reaction to every Heat game has allowed the Lakers to slide under the radar and dominate with little fuss. Flip side: The Timberwolves are god awful. They're contraction bad. I have no idea how they've got one win already (Bucks.) Good luck, Rambis and team. On the bright side, the season's already a tenth over.
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| Not much laughing now for Rambis. |
After two-plus weeks into the season, it's clear the Lakers are once again on a mission. Title or bust. Bumping along with a few new players, who seem to have picked up the offense and mentality seamlessly. Steve Blake and Matt Barnes have both been very productive in limited roles. Barnes at 9.1 ppg and 6.1 reb in just over 20 minutes. Blake is shooting 50 percent in threes (14-28). Compare that to Jordan Farmar, who Blake replaced as back-up point guard. Farmar is shooting 28 percent (7-28) with the Nets so far this year.
The T'Wolves, on the other hand, don't even have enough quality guys to fill out a starting line-up. If Rambis isn't careful, this year's Wolves could let the '72-'73 Sixers off the hook for worst record of all-time (9-73). Darko Milicic starts for them. He's 7'0" and is shooting 28 percent from the field. There's a reason he is known as the worst #2 pick of all time. Speaking of #2 picks, Michael Beasley is also a starter. I'm in Beasley's corner, like parts of his game, but the production hasn't equaled the potential. In another year or two I hope he's put it all together. He's still very young, where as Darko is in his 8th season.
Bottom line: The Lakers are clearly the best team in the league right now. 8-0 is the best start for LA since the 1997-98 season. All the focus and reaction to every Heat game has allowed the Lakers to slide under the radar and dominate with little fuss. Flip side: The Timberwolves are god awful. They're contraction bad. I have no idea how they've got one win already (Bucks.) Good luck, Rambis and team. On the bright side, the season's already a tenth over.
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