Exclusive negotiating window closing
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Nov 06, 2010 
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This is the Yankees last day of exclusive rights to their own free agents. The negotiating window closes at midnight. At 12:01 Sunday morning, the frenzy begins. Already the Yankees have bumped Chad Guadin off the roster, and Royce Ring has declared free agency.
Much bigger decisions are looming.
In his radio interviews on Tuesday, Hal Steinbrenner was already preparing the fan base for the possibility of a lengthy negotiating process with Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. No one seems to expect Andy Pettitte to make a decision any time soon.
Assuming those three aren’t going to sign in the next few hours, the Yankees immediate decisions are limited to two players who had as many as 70 at-bats this season.
Austin Kearns
In some ways, he makes sense: Right-handed hitter in a left-leaning outfield; can play both corners plus center field in a pinch; probably won’t cost a lot. That said, he was bad enough in 2008 and 2009 that he accepted a minor league deal this offseason, and although he hit a little bit for Cleveland, he did next to nothing for the Yankees.
Marcus Thames
If the Yankees could get him on the same deal as this season — minor league contract with an invitation to big league camp — he would be a no-brainer, but Thames had a good enough year that he should certainly test the market for a Major League contract. He was terrific this season, but given the Yankees need to keep the designated hitter spot open, he might not make much sense this time around. Probably best for both sides to explore their options before entering into a quick agreement.
Associated Press photo of Thames
MTU,
Plan B is to kidnap Pettite and pray for good health from the rest of the rotation…..then perhaps upgrade the team in other areas. The thing is that there isn’t a plan B that would improve the team anywhere near as well as plan A….without some very creative trade by Cashman but even that would cost players. That’s why I just don’t see the Yanks missing out on their plan A this time around. It makes too much sense and makes things much less complicated. JMO.
Blake-
Good morning partner.
I understand what you’re saying. No one nearly as good a fit as Lee.
That said, there always has to be a plan B.
One of the guys over at RAB claims to have identified a good trade candidate for plan B.
NL guy who used to pitch in the AL. I was thinking about it this morning. Did some research using Baseball Ref. sorting by ERA+, etc.
No one seemed all that reasonable to me.
I hope he wasn’t talking about Hudson. He’s 34.
MTU, he’d have to know what “Plan A” is first. What everyone knows is the Jeter wants a lot of money and NYYs will payer Jeter very well, just not as well as what Jeter’s asking and he knows it. I suppose that’s the “messy part”.
Jeter: I want Rodriguez money.
Steinbrenner” Come on, Jete…get serious.
Jeter: I want the same contract as last years for 6 years.
My guess is that Pettitte’s decision comes by Thanksgiving week.Steinbrenner: Hey, Hank..throw this imposter out of here and bring in the real Jeter.
Steinbrenner: Derek, this is what I have in mind. 3 years, $17 mil per, one year option. Bonuses for passing 3,000 and 3500 hits and 2,000 runs scored. $1 mil for each.
Jeter: sounds like a deal to me. Let me ask Minka.
Jeter: Minka says it’s a deal if you sign her to do ads for the Yanks. She doesn’t like the idea of not earning her own paycheck.
Steinbrenner: Deal done.
as far as Rivera goes…is it a shock that he has nagging little injuries at age 41?
The biggest surprise on here is Pettitte. I thought for sure that he’d have decided by now. After all, Thanksgiving and Christmas is almost over and he’s still stalling?
My guess is that Pettitte’s decision comes by Thanksgiving week.
IMO, if the Yankees sign Lee, then if Pettitte decides to retire, they can handle that. They would have two number 1′s in Lee and CC, a solid 2 or 3 in Hughes. Burnett will be there like it or not, so only one spot would be open. If Andy comes back they are maybe the best rotation in baseball, if not, I would be OK with Nova in the rotation plans.
If they miss out on Lee, however, then it is a must for Andy to come back, because it may cost them some pitching depth to acquire another front line starter.
Happy Birthday MTU
I was watching a bit of mlb network’s hot stove this am…those guys love Derek Jeter! Harold Reynolds thinks they should give Jeet a contract for life b/c he will know when it is time to retire.
If Pettitte retires, I’d prefer they use Nova in a trade and promote David Phelps.
Mark in Tampa; I agree. Montero’s future as a Yank is in jeopardy if the Yankees do not get Lee and Andy decides to hang it up. If one or both of these guys come back, the Yankees farm system will continue to be stacked.
Kate-
Thanks. It just feels great to have finally turned legal.
GB-
Is that hot off the “special forces” intell line or is that just your personal take.
I expect it’s the former.
besides doing what they need to do sign their own FA’S,(3) go out and get Lee & with a staff of CC,Lee & Hughes, AJ,Andy (if he returns ) that would be a solid staff….if a trade here or there is needed go for it
Happy Birthday Mike!
I imagine we’ve seen the last of both Kearns and Thames in a Yankees uniform.
Thames is too one dimensional, decent stick but can’t play the field at all, and Kearns will soon be irrelevant with the emergence of Laird and even Nunez in the OF to play against lefties.
Thames was a pleasant surprise and by all accounts a class act. Good luck to him in his next stop.
Al-
Thanks.
Finally turned 21.
I’m fortunate to still be vertical; Be respirating; Have a pulse; And still have at least minimal brain activity.
How much longer that continues I can’t say.
Kearns play for the Yankees earned him a AA contract somewhere. That was a bad PU.
Any takers on the Yankees opening bid for Lee, and when we hear about it?
I believe the Yankees approach with CC was shock and awe with a mamoth offer just days into the FA period starting,, wonder if NYY approach with Lee will be similar….
Now that you’re legal, you won’t need to steal your beer from Killer.
I think Kearns was a good PU, just didn’t work out. He actually hit pretty respectably for a few weeks. I think the pickings were slim for Cash and Kearns was the best available for what it cost.. next to nothing..
Al-
One of the many benefits of turning 21.
My opening bid to Lee, in an effort to push Texas hard, would be $120 mil for 5 years/a 6th year option.
MTU November 6th, 2010 at 9:24 am
Kate-
Thanks. It just feels great to have finally turned legal.
GB-
Is that hot off the “special forces” intell line or is that just your personal take.
I expect it’s the former.
———————————————————————————————————————-
I got it from one of my sources.
“Killer went down to listen in on the meetings (he has good ears). “Killer” is like Forrest Gump. He’s everywhere that it’s a happening scene.
“Killer” is splitting a gut at mentioning him and a forest in the same breath. He likes bad puns, too.
My guess is that the Yanks start with 5/100, and see how everybody else reacts. I can’t see anybody going longer than 5 years for Lee, but I don’t think 4 gets it done. Any other teams possibly bidding besides NY and Texas? I could see Minnesota maybe, but don’t think they would be going to 100M.
BIG AL; you’re not taking any chances are you?
Al-
I’m sure you have played some poker in your time.
When you’re sitting there staring across the table at your adversaries
it helps to know that you won’t run out of chips before they do.
That, and the fact that you know you have the better hand to start with.
I believe the Nationals have publicly said they are interested.. Not that it means much but they could just be a pest and drive up Lee’s price tag for the real contenders for Lee.
then again the Yankees may just ignore the National’s offer believing that there is no chance in h that Lee goes there even if they outbid every other team…
Sleeper team for Lee… LAA.. they have been very quiet, have the $$, and have the need, not sure though if Lee is interested in the West coast.
“I believe the Nationals have publicly said they are interested”
And the Marlins were in the running for Arod back in ’07.
yankee21 November 6th, 2010 at 9:36 am
——————-
No, that’s the point, push Texas out early, or just make Lee think he’s so well thought of by the Yankees, and say, OK, it’s a deal.
We can afford to do it, and we, better than Texas can live with the contract if Lee’s performance drops off during the contract. Texas has too much money owed to risk that, IMO.
MTU-
21! Happy Birthday. Watcha gonna do!
Goodbye Kearns, goodbye Thames. Hello Lee, hello Montero!
Good Morning Al, hows the weather in your neck of the woods today ?
Another sleeper team for Lee, STL. He may be the pot of gold that STL needs to ensure Albert doesn’t walk after next season. The question isn’t if he is a good fit, it will be all about the benjamins, does the Busch team go all out?
GB-
You and I both know that “Killer” spends a lot time recovering from his binge drinking and carousing around.
I’m not sure he could distinguish the forest from which tree to pee on.
Wonder how come he likes bad puns ? Where on Earth could he have ever gotten that from ?
MTU, he’s been reading these boards. He has no shame.
Going after Lee, using the same approach they did with CC will be best. Strike high and hard, and get it done. Dragging it out prevents getting other business done that’s not as important, but has to be addressed.
Happy Birthday MTU.
Killer can read? That puts him ahead of some on these boards.
Tampa Mark-
Lee 5 years $125 million
Jeter- $1.00 per year for 5 years and 100% of all profits made from Jeter memoribilia.
MTU,
Happy Birthday! Enjoy the day.
Trader-
“21! Happy Birthday. Watcha gonna do!”
What I always do.
Continue to be a bad boy, and wait for them to come for me.
Seriously, Tomorrow several friends and I are off to visit my favorite
place. All day affair. ATV ride to the middle of nowhere. Then a Hike and Photography.
Great Birthday present. Doesn’t get any better.
Big Al, I agree with you on the approach but I hold back on the 5th year unless absolutely needed, and blow Lee away and the rest of the competition with a 4 year offer.
Jeter, 3 year deal 50 mil. Lee, 4 year deal $100m.
yankee21-
MLB TV swami Greg predicting that Greinke traded to Cardinals for Rasmus.
yankee 21 -
That could work as well, but, I’d still have an option year in the offer.
Joba needs to be given a shot in the rotation. It’s really disappointing that they are apparently foreclosing that option.
I’d offer Kearns a mL deal. Take it or leave it.
They need to allocate any excess funds (which is another reason to keep Jeter’s salary down) toward a veteran backup SS/3B.
Yeah, “Killer” can read. I’ve always wondered why he enjoyed “The Adventures Of Rocky And Bullwinkle” so much. We found out that he’s related to Mr. Peabody. Now he wants to adopt a pet boy. I’m all for an adoption, but, I’m trying to talk him into adopting a 19 year old Swedish nursing student.
For all of you wishing me a Happy B’day. I appreciate the well wishes.
It sure beats a sharp stick in the eye.
GB-
Apparently Killer has sunk even lower than I thought.
It doesn’t hurt to offer Kearns a mL deal, but he wouldn’t take it. He’ll get a job somewhere as a 4-5 OF,, just won’t be for NYY.
yankee 21 -
My idea with Jeter would be to offer him a 10 year contract for $60 mil, with 4 years as a player, and the remainder as a personal services agreement. This allows him one last big contract, and the Yankees lower payroll at the same time.
MTU November 6th, 2010 at 9:49 am
For all of you wishing me a Happy B’day. I appreciate the well wishes.
It sure beats a sharp stick in the eye.
GB-
Apparently Killer has sunk even lower than I thought.
———————————————————————————————————————-
What? You don’t like Rocky and Bullwinkle?
GB7 -
Thought you were done with nurses.
MTU, I’d wish you a happy birthday too, but, thought I’d wait until tomorrow when everyone else has forgotten about it.
Happy Birthday, Bud.
GB-
I was referring to his lack of moral rectitude.
P.S. I live out West. Wil-E and the Roadrunner. Bullwinkle is for guys like Maine and Randy.
Only nurses that have better moustaches than me.
Why would “Killer” want to like a mangy dog wannabe and a desert chicken.
Jeter averaged 18.9M for the last 10 years.
Offer will probably end up somewhere close to 3years/55M with a club option for a 4th year based on incentives reached in years 2&3. Do not think Jeter will be getting a major pay cut.
GB-
Thanks. Much appreciated.
We both suffer from the same disease. We just can’t seem to take ourselves seriously.
Ever wonder what causes that ?
I think my parents must have forced me to breathe laughing gas instead of air as a very young child. Permanent damage.
If Killer gets tired of pizza, the chicken might make a good meal.
Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat! Yip ,yip,yip. Yikes it’d “Killer,” wrong hat!
Al-
Killer is way more interested in th liquid portion of his meal.
A club option is just a figleaf unless there is a buyout amount attached to it.
$55m over 3 years is too much for a player coming off the season Jeter just had.
MTU –
I thought that as well. I can picture him slurping his beer straight from the can, while correcting GB’s spelling on the computer. A lot of GB’s error’s come from Killer getting on while GB is sleeping.
No way Jeter gets a major pay cut… He’ll continue to be paid as the highest SS in the league, again if I’m Hal, I offer him 3 years 48 million to start off with but if he’s willing to bend a little on first year, willing to go up to 50 million. If NY and Jeter can agree on 50 million and structure the deal 14, 18, 18, it gives NYY some flexibility to be at the same “level” that Hal said plans on for 2011.
By the way, I am not in a hurry to close on Jeter, I want to see how things play out with Andy and the Cliffster to not how much wiggle room I’ll have with Jeter.. Andy and Cliff are a higher priority for me.
Jeter aside, what does the highest paid SS in MLB get?
Our fellow Yankee fan Keith Olbermann gets suspended .
Al-
“A lot of GB’s error’s come from Killer getting on while GB is sleeping.”
This is true. GB has to sleep sometime and Killer knows it.
Yankee Trader November 6th, 2010 at 10:00 am
Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat! Yip ,yip,yip. Yikes it’d “Killer,” wrong hat!
———————————————————————————————————————-
I love that show. My faverorite part was always “Fractured Fairey Tales”. A couple of years ago, I bought the complete series of shows and the two movies…the one with Piper Parabo and years ago, they did a movie called “Boris and Natasha” with Sally Kellerman. That is a funny movie. All of the bad puns included.
***favorite***
Jeter earned $22.6 mil in 2010, 3rd highest MLB salary behind A-Rod and CC.
Mccarron says Patterson is the front runner now that Cooper was denied permission:
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....8;page=all
Gil Patterson is an excellent pitching coach.
After Jeter, Michael Young has a 16M salary, but he is obviously not a SS anymore. Hanley Ramirez makes between 11 and 12.
Thanks. So Young’s salary is irrelevant and Ramirez is now much, much better than Jeter. So $15m a year for three years is far more than fair and a vast overpay given his current level of production. Jeter should be thrilled with that.
“Jeter aside, what does the highest paid SS in MLB get?”
Probably Ramirez at $11M in 2011, and $15M+ for ’12-’14
Not an apples and oranges comparison though, because Ramirez wasn’t a free agent at the time he signed. There really is no comp out there.
Later folks.
Hanley Ramirez getting 11M in 2011, then in the next 3 years 15M, 15.5M, 16M.
Jose Reyes had his 11M option exercised by the Mets.
I believe Jimmy Rollins 8.5M was exercised by the Phillies.
Furcal making 12M
Troy Tulowitski, arguably the best of the lot gets 5.5M in 2011, escalating to 8.25M. then 10M, and club option for 15M in 2014.
Again Jeter averaged 18.9M the last 10 years, just off a 21M 2010 contract.
Whether he deserves it or not, I don’t see him taking a major cut to 15M/year, UNLESS, there’s something creative the Yankees and Close/Jeter can work out to allow the Yankees to stay within their “supposed” payroll parameters.
Just my 2 cents.
per Cots, SS rankings by AAV
Jeter 18.9 through 2010
Ramirez 11.6 through 2013
Furcal 10 through 2011
Renteria 9.25 through 2010
Lugo 9 through 2010
Guzman 8 through 2010
Rollins 7 through 2010
Reyes 5.8 through 2010
Tulowitzki 5.1 through 2013
MTU,
A very happy birthday and many more. Eat lots of ice cream and cake for me!!!!
Per Cots I believe Furcal will be the Highest paid SS in 2011, until Jeter signs his next contract.
Rafael Furcal ss
3 years/$30M (2009-11), plus 2012 option
3 years/$30M (2009-11)
re-signed by LA Dodgers as a free agent 12/18/09
$3M signing bonus (deferred to January 2012)
09:$6.5M, 10:$8.5M, 11:$12M, 12:$12M club option
2012 option becomes guaranteed with 600 PAs in 2011
may earn additional $1M annually based on health
limited no-trade clause (may block deals to specified clubs)
If Jeter won’t accept it, I would tell him to make another deal elsewhere…or take a one year deal at his present salary. Facts and reality have to matter and the facts are that he really isn’t worth more than $10m a year.
SAS-
Thanks. Can I substitute Beer and Pizza ?
The thing with Jeter is that he is only worth more than 12M per year to the Yankees, because of what he has meant to the team, and the opportunity to be the first Yankee to get to 3000 hits.
On the open market, after the year he had, Jeter would probably get no more than 3 years at 10-12 per. However, I’ll bet that he begins negotiations looking for a 4 year extension to the salary he is getting now; with the Yankees looking to pay him 3 years at 16 per. Finally settle at 3 or 4 years for 18 per.
MTU,
It’s your birthday, but I won’t share Beer and pretzels. I don’t like the taste of beer. It is supposed to be good for your hair though.
Offensively Marco Scutaro had a comparable year to Jeter, and get 5M in 2011.
Rich- I just don’t see the Yankees playing hardball and giving him a take it or leave it offer. Hopefully a creative contract can be worked out that allows the Yankees to bring in other talent over the next few years to keep them WS contenders.
$18m a year for 4 years would be a joke.
YT
$15m a year for three years isn’t hardball, it’s a gift.
If Jeter can’t see that, he’s lost his way.
SAS-
Glad you allow substitutions.
Gotta run. Catch you later.
Mark-
Who knows what Jeter generates in revenue for the Yankees. I’m sure that will enter into the negotiations.
How much revenue can Jeter generate? Does he really sell tickets? People only buy them because the Yankees win. Does he really help TV ratings? People watch because the Yankees win. Even if he generates some revenue, if he continues to be a league average player or worse, that revenue will drop very quickly. So I think the issue is overstated.
“$18m a year for 4 years would be a joke”
It may be, but I think that is where the contract will end up.
However, if Jeter had already reached 3000, and the Yankees were his second or third team, I could see the negotiations going similar to the way they did with Damon last year because of Jeter’s drop in performance last year. One other thing Jeter does have going for him, though, is that ther are no other viable SS options.
It might be overstated, but he’s worth more than 10M a year to the Yankees.
$15m a year for three years isn’t hardball, it’s a gift.
———————————————-
Rich-
I can’t argue with you. However the Yankees are giving a lot of their players gifts.
IMO the most important FA signings for the Yankees needs are pitching and priorities should be getting Lee and Rivera, plus getting Pettitte back in the fold. You can’t have too many lefty starters in NY.
You can’t compare Jeter’s worth to other SS’s worth to other teams.
Mark
Jeter should realize that if he gets that kind of money and has four more seasons like his 2010 season, his legacy will be dramatically harmed. Some people may think that’s not possible. We’ll see.
YT
I agree. Lee and Rivera are their biggest offseason needs.
Anyway, see you all later. have a great day.
I would hope the Yankees have a good idea how much Jeter is worth to them beyond just what he does on the field of play.
This Pettitte nonsense is annoying . He knows how important it is for the Yankees to know what he is going to do. With 12:01 Sunday fast approaching and other teams getting ready to dive in, Cashman needs to have a clue.
Just decide Pettitte, it’s selfish to drag this out.
Selfish has nothing to do with it, the problem is making sure you are truly committed for an entire season of baseball. This isn’t a Favre situation in which Pettitte is trying to dictate terms or be in the limelight of discussion.
I think the Yankees should make an attempt to resign Kearns.
Another point is that Pettitte’s decision has no bearing on going after Lee so the Yankees can afford to wait for a while. I suspect that Pettitte will let Cashman know sometime in the next couple of weeks.
What’s the big rush in getting Jeter’s contract done? The Yankees want him to stay…Jeter wants to stay…it’s early November and the only place that Jeter’s going is on vacation. Rivera and Jeter are going nowhere and everyone knows it. It’s not like the Yankees have to beat another team to the punch to sign him.
NYYs are getting ready to make their bid to Lee. They are carrying on conversations to sign a pitching coach and they just signed Girardi.
Pettitte is the next point of interest, though, NYY is only waiting on Pettitte’s decision. after that, Rivera is on the clock.
From that point on, it’s just a matter of cleaning up and polishing the roster.
It seems like some players like to play games when they know full well where they want to play and for whom. Even when they know the dollars are the same, all things considered.
I disagree, you go home take a week off sit down with the family, decide and pick up the phone.
If he doesn’t come back, Lee becomes that much more important. And even with Lee, with no Pettitte, you are still short a starter unless you want to assume it’s Nova.
Not to mention knowing whether they have another $11 million to play with.
Correct, if they sign Lee, having Pettitte back would be a luxury.
However, if they lose Lee, Pettitte becomes a neccessity, and they would also need another starter.
Kearns should be offered a minor league deal with a spring training invite.
I think the 5/125 number that they predicted on MLB network last night will be close on Lee. If Texas is willing to go that high as well then the Yankees may have to decide if they are willing to go 6 and I almost think they would be if that’s the deciding factor.
I don’t mind Kearns as a cheap option. He was hurt last year and you know the Yankees are not going to spend more to get anyone that much better. You need bodies on the bench and if he is awful again, you release him.
Mark,
I also agree that if they do get Lee then they can make do without Pettite….but if they don’t and Pettite retires then Cashman may be forced to make a move that he probably wouldn’t like to. They need one of Andy and Lee next year…..im hoping its both.
blake November 6th, 2010 at 11:09 am
I think the 5/125 number that they predicted on MLB network last night will be close on Lee. If Texas is willing to go that high as well then the Yankees may have to decide if they are willing to go 6 and I almost think they would be if that’s the deciding factor.
***********
I agree. The one thing the Yankees can do financially that most other teams cannot is financially absorb the last year of an older, injured player who sits. If the Yankees sign Lee to a six year deal, and they get five years, they can handle that.
blake,
They can do without Andy if they get Lee; but if they miss out on Lee, I think they need somebody in addition to Andy. If not, they have the same rotation as this year, only 1 year older. They would be vulnerable to being forced to use Montero, Gardner, Nova, and/or Romine in a package to obtain a young front-line starter.
If the Yankees plan works out then they may not have to spend on starting pitching again for awhile….I know that’s a risk and you can’t count on that but its possible that Lee would be their last free agent pitcher for several years……that could affect their bidding.
Mark,
Ideally yes I agree…..but if Andy comes back then I don’t think they would be as desperate…(like trading Montero). They would probably make a move for another starter but not neccessarily doing what it takes for a front line guy IMO….this is all why I think they will do whatever it takes to acquire Cliff Lee. It just fits and requires very little additional manuevering.
I’m not so sure about that. They were ready to trade Montero this year for just 2 months of Lee. If they could get a younger pitcher already under contract, I think they would pull the trigger if Montero is the required piece for the deal; if they miss out on Lee. Not that I think it is the right decision, just that I think they might do it.
Mark,
Who though? They we’re willing to trade him for Lee or Halladay because they are two of the best in baseball…..im not sure there is anyone else out there like that available.
“Whether he deserves it or not, I don’t see him taking a major cut to 15M/year”
Why not?
If his skills are diminishing which is normal with age, he can not continue to demand what he made in his prime.
I think many fans and some of the mediots who think he will not take a cut will be surprised when all is said and done. I think what Buster wrote albout this yesterday was spot on.
If Yanks do not offer what Jeter wants and still offer much more than any other team what options does he have. He will take less than what Yanks offer and go to another team ?
I would offer Kearns a deal similar to the one with Winn. Major league contract, low base, some incentives for PAs.
If Lee does not work out, would you trade Montero for Matt Cain who is under contract for two more years?
Jeter is the guest of honor at Joe Torre’s charities dinner this Thursday in NYC.
Lots of cameras, lots of questions he won’t want to answer.
Bet he would like for Cashman and Close get things nailed down before then.
I don’t think the Giants need a catcher….
Bill in Westfield November 6th, 2010 at 11:01 am
Kearns should be offered a minor league deal with a spring training invite.
…………………………………………………
That’s the best he or Thames can hope for. Cashman keeps saying he wants the team to be younger and more athletic. They can make their own deals if they beat out by Brandon Laird or Greg Golson.
If I’m the Yankees I put 3 year 13-14M AAV offer on the table and if the Jeter camp doesn’t think it’s good enough… ok fine, go get a better offer on the open market and give us a reason to raise our offer.
108 Thanks.
IMHO Jeter would have more value for the Nationals than for the Yanks. The Yanks will sell out every game with or without Jeter. For the Nationals, he’d bring thousands of extra fans into each game.
Also, by 2012 Jeter may not be good enough to play SS for the Yanks, and they have no other position he could play. On a weak team, Jeter could be a regular for a long time, at SS or outfield or maybe 3B.
Of course this doesn’t mattter. Jeter will sign with the Yanks, who will wildly overpay him relative to his abilities going forward.