Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
December 02, 2008
Neyer on Jeter

Rob Neyer defends Jeter against Steve Goldman, but agrees Derek shouldn't move to second base. I've thought for a while that the right move for Derek is to centerfield. The question gets more moot as time goes on, however. The only way Jeter moves to another position is if he volunteers to do so, and I don't think that's going to happen. As Neyer closes his post:

Do you think the Steinbrothers will have the courage to let him become less and less valuable for some other team?

No, but it's not a question of courage. Jeter is going to go into Yankees history like Gehrig and Mantle, playing only for the Bronx Bombers. If that means a few years while Jeter drags the team down, so be it. I suspect, however, that Jeter will at least get on base enough to be useful through age 40.


Posted by David Pinto at 05:42 PM | Players | TrackBack (0)
Comments

So... Derek Jeter gets all kinds of credit for being a "winner," a "team player," and above all else, a "true Yankee," but he'd rather be a mediocre shortstop and hurt his team defensively, than provide a real upgrade in center and give the Yankees a better chance of winning?

If he really possessed all the virtues he's given credit for, he'd be marching into Cashman's office right now, saying, "Where do you need me to play?" If not, then he's Terrell Owens with better people skills.

Okay, that's a bit harsh. Let's say "he's just another athlete who puts his own self-interest above the team's."

Posted by: jvwalt at December 2, 2008 06:44 PM

Even Cal Ripken Jr. knew when it was time to move to another position. Jeter will always be a Yankee Legend, regardless of what he does in the future, because of his past. His number will be retired, he will retire with the Yankees, and he will be in the Hall on the first or second ballot. But if he didn't move to 3rd for A-Rod, he's certainly not moving for a nobody.

Posted by: Jesse R at December 2, 2008 08:43 PM

Well said jvwalt. Jeter was all those things when things were going well, during the easy times, but now that the picture is changing his true attitude is coming out.

Posted by: emains at December 2, 2008 09:07 PM

This is compound interest on a five year old sin. Once the Yankees decided to acquire A-Rod knowing that Jeter was on the roster, it should have been made clear to Jeter that he'd have to find another position. Instead, he was left at short and A-Rod's value was diminished by his being forced into a less crucial defensive position. If one of the greatest players ever--something that even the most deluded of the Jeter cultists out there wouldn't peg him as--had to give way to Jeter, Yankees management certainly doesn't have the guts to force him to move now just because he's older and slower.

Posted by: M. Scott Eiland at December 2, 2008 09:39 PM

"his true attitude is coming out"
Have you ever actually watched him play? His "true attitude" comes out every time he busts it to first on a routine grounder. Go to a game, note what happens when foul pop ups go into the first few rows of stands between 3rd base and left field. Jeter will be the guy running an all out sprint on every play.

Posted by: Mark at December 3, 2008 08:54 AM

Who is pushing him out of SS? Where is the second coming of Manny Alexander? They could move him to 1B or LF and sign a SS but they're a little crowded at those spots. What would make anyone who knew anything about playing baseball think he's going to help them in CF if he doesn't have the range to play SS?.

Posted by: Bandit at December 3, 2008 10:16 AM

Arod gets all the negative press despite being unselfish enough to move to 3B, removing the possibilty of becoming known as the greatest SS to ever play the game.
Jeter gets highlights cuz he blows a bubble while making a play.
Its the media's fault, not Jeter's.

Posted by: Boomer at December 3, 2008 10:47 AM

Mark: Yes, I have seen Jeter play. I've seen the endless replays of his leap into the stands. I know he hustles. But if he's unwilling to make a position switch that would help the team, he's not doing everything he can to win ballgames.

Bandit: Nobody's pushing him out of SS, but he'd be a clear upgrade in CF. He's a way better hitter than Melky, and can't possibly be a worse defender than Damon. I'd compare it to Craig Biggio's move from 2B to CF, where he played ably into his late 30s.

If Jeter moved to center, the Yanks could sign or trade for an Orlando Cabrera type (which would be a net positive for the offense), or even settle for a pure defensive SS. Upgrading their infield defense would take a LOT of pressure off their pitching staff.

Posted by: jvwalt at December 3, 2008 11:39 AM

He's a way better hitter than Melky, and can't possibly be a worse defender than Damon.

That's quite a recomendation - So making yourself older and weaker on D in CF is a plus? Biggio embarassed himself trying to play CF.

Posted by: Bandit at December 3, 2008 12:08 PM
Post a comment









Remember personal info?