According to Marc Carig of the Star Ledger, the Yankees will not be offering arbitration to Derek Jeter.
The Yankees haven’t made a habit of offering arbitration over the last couple years, likely because of the economic depression making players more likely to accept.
We thought it was possible they would offer it to Jeter, since if he accepted, the Yankees would only need to commit to Derek for 1 year, although there would be no salary reduction. Less years seems like a win for the Yankees when a player will turn 37 in the next season.
However now, by not offering him arbitration, the Yankees don’t want to pay Derek an inflated salary, even if it’s for only one year.
So the question is why?
After giving it about 5 seconds of thought and then getting back to our real-life money-making jobs, our best guess is that the Yankees want Derek to sign a multi-year deal due to lack of shortstop depth around baseball. It’s not like they have the Jesus Montero of Shortstops waiting in the system.
Thus, the Yankees want to call his bluff that he’ll go to another team and sign him to a multi-year deal with a significantly less annual salary than he’d receive in arbitration — one that more accurately reflects his skills at this point in his career.
That’s our NoMaasian stab at it.
27 Comments
Steve November 23, 2010 09:50
I think it was merely a gesture of goodwill. Talks have gotten tense (if we believe the press), and offering Jeter arb would have been a cold-blooded F-U to the guy they supposedly value and want to bring back. Offering arb negatively impacts Jeter’s market value and it puts the screws to a guy they are trying to have a “respectful” negotiation with.
Offering arb is the “correct” move, I agree. It’s the move you would make if this were a video game. But in real life, I think offering arb just causes the Jeter camp to dig their heels in deeper and drag this thing out longer.
Besides, what are the odds that Jeter is not a yankee next year? 1000 to 1? 10000 to 1? So, it should be irrelevant.
Box607 November 23, 2010 11:21
Steve makes a good point. Offering arbitration is really calling Jeter’s bluff and would make him infinitely less marketable due to the draft pick compensation. By not offering arbitration, Jeter can still pretend that he has leverage to sign somewhere else. It’s like the franchise tag in Football, players hate it when its slapped on them. I think this may keep the tense talks from becoming more difficult. For the same reason, they probably won’t offer arbitration to Mo or Pettitte.
Sean November 23, 2010 09:54
Looks like Boras might not be negotiating a bank-breaker for Jayson Werth any time soon:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/sports/baseball/23boras.html
That guy’s a real dick.
DavidRiccio November 23, 2010 09:58
Good point Sean. Have you met JJ yet? Maybe we can get together for drinks.
Sean November 23, 2010 11:23
That reference went right over my head, to be honest.
Wise Guy November 23, 2010 11:45
He must be talking about Jerome James. That guy hasn’t done anything since his Knicks contract expired.
DavidRiccio November 23, 2010 11:50
Jerome who? Is he the manager at Prime 112? The truffle mac & cheese is to die for.
Bose® Headphones November 23, 2010 12:07
When you wear me, it says “Wow, he really likes his music.”
Joe Pawlikowski November 23, 2010 10:40
They should also offer arb to Javy, Berkman and Wood.
DavidRiccio November 23, 2010 16:52
Well said, Perogie Joe. We have a lot to be thankful for this year like JJ’s laugh.
Mike Francesa November 23, 2010 17:34
Listen, Listen to me. There’s no question I love perogies, there’s no question. Uhhhhhh. But nobody cares who you are trying to portray, or who JJ is. Unless its horseracing, then I care. he’s a hawse for tha cawse. Uhhhhhhhh. Back after this, here’s the minkman.
DavidRiccio November 23, 2010 20:14
Listen, Manicotti Mike. My up & under is second to none. Peep that.
Joe Pawlikowski November 24, 2010 09:29
I can eat more than Mike.
Sensitive RAB guy November 24, 2010 18:39
PAST a bobbing JoePawl
Yonkees November 23, 2010 11:56
Also, if Jeter were to accept arbitration, he could end up hitting .330 again next year, thereby making a better case for a big contract after next season than he has after this one. Then the Yankees would be stuck trying to offer a 2 year deal to a player who is again going to want a 4 year deal. If they get it settled this offseason, then ideally in 3 or 4 years when the deal is up, he’ll be ready to either retire or accept a lesser role.
JPenis November 23, 2010 17:29
I never thought I’d say this about a comment on this site, but that is a good point.
Jon Schimenti November 23, 2010 13:44
haha, i dont want him to get arb, get this stiff out of here, if we cant deal for reyes this year we will just sign him next year, haha, can’t believe what a turd jeter is, dont even care about winning and he thinks he can fool people into think about winning, haha, let him get 3,000 in kansas city uniform, haha
Brandon November 23, 2010 14:56
It means that they know no one else wants him. He’s coming back.
Derek November 23, 2010 21:51
I am baffled right now
Managerwithoutbracessays November 24, 2010 05:16
I just surprised about how the front office is running their mouths. I have no problem with them wanting to pay Jeter market value to telling him to test the market but why tell the world? Jeter and his agent weren’t negotiating in the papers or leaking. Cashman pulled this hard ass BS with Rivera a few years ago. Again I have to problem with the strategy but shut your pie holes and rubbing it in Jeter’s face. This is not the way to handle it.
Leather Bound Books November 24, 2010 08:14
Eh chances are Jeter is asking for something stupid like 4 years 80 million – if this is the case I don’t mind the Yankees calling his bluff.
Jeter is a great Yankee and a great baseball player, but I’d imagine being in these negotiations with him is as fun as talking to a 5 year old.
The Miz November 24, 2010 10:44
Jeter is more than likely an arrogant little bitch.
Benji Ka Bak November 24, 2010 14:16
Let Jeter sign with Boston. We’ll be fine with Pena.
The Agent for Jayson Werth November 24, 2010 15:01
Hey, let’s not confuse me with the actual agent for Jayson Werth. I am a fake dick. Still, I point out that the Phillies have offered my client arbitration. I don’t see why that’s an insult. I still would get my fake 15%.
Villiage Douchebag November 27, 2010 00:57
I like to come in and post awesome shit, using solid words like “probably”, “possibly”, “maybe” and the favorite “more than likely”. I use deez wurds to drop my nowledge on you fools. My Grandaddy Douche one told me “I guess, therefore I know”. He was such a Douche!
dood November 27, 2010 01:46
you suck, breh. eat a dick.
Nicholle Nwadiora February 21, 2011 21:48
The good post encouraged me a lot! Bookmarked the blog, extremely excellent topics everywhere that I see here! I really appreciate the information, thanks.