Yankees willing to improve Jeter offer


The Yankees are willing to improve their initial offer of three years $45 million to short stop Derek Jeter. The Jeter camp is looking for a contract in the area of $24 million per year, meaning that the two sides have been about $10 million apart.

The Yankees told Jeter to explore other teams offers if he didn't feel the Yankees offer was good enough, and so far no other team has really jumped into the Jeter mix.

The Associated Press reported Thursday that the team did submit an improved offer but could not say whether the money or years had been improved.

"We certainly hope we get something done," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Friday morning. "Both sides are working hard to try and find common ground. You just have to go through the process."

There have been several reports in recent days that the team was open to slightly increasing the number of dollars in its offer, though not necessarily guaranteeing more than three years.

The Yankees insist that Jeter has to decide what to do. It is interesting that no terms of the new and improved contract were released.

I can't blame the Yankees for their stance on Jeter. He is 36 years old, and had one of the worst seasons' of his career, batting only .270 with 10 homers and 67 RBI, with a .370 slugging percentage.

I know he is the face of the Yankees, but $15 million per year over three years is a very generous offer for a player at his age.


Comments