Now, the Yankees aren’t likely to find themselves in the quandary the Orioles created for themselves not long ago by refusing to believe that Cal Ripken would ever get too old to play — or wanting to challenge in any way their most popular player. They’re too smart to do what the Mets did with Mike Piazza, refusing to come up with a smart succession plan that not only would have helped the Mets at catcher, but also might well have extended Piazza’s career as an effective offensive player.Jeter’s succession plan needs to be handled better than Ripken’s or Piazza’s, and done so in concert with Jeter. I just don’t think the Yanks are appreciably “smarter” and therefore better equipped to handle shoving Jeter off SS than either of those other teams with their icons. The Yankees organization, especially during the Steinbrenner administration, takes pride in its own history and legends and Jeter is no exception. Great lengths will be taken to make sure Jeter remains a Yankee and a happy one.
I’m fairly sick of the Jeter-mongering because I am quite certain he’ll do the right things, because he always has. That’s the advantage with Jeter; we know who he is and what he’s about. I’m not worried about him re-signing with the Yanks next Fall. Nor am I worried about him holding the team hostage. I just don’t give any front office so much credit until I see them navigate a potential storm like this one.
Brian Cashman does not negotiate with terrorists, hostage takers, or anyone mid-season
You can’t think about Jeter’s playing a different position until you identify where he’s going to play, and more importantly, who is going to succeed him at shortstop. At the moment, the issue is not how to persuade Jeter to play a different position. The issue is how long we can persuade Jeter to STAY at shortstop until we can find an acceptable successor.
” The issue is how long we can persuade Jeter to STAY at shortstop until we can find an acceptable successor.”
What, is there going to be a run in MLB on 37-year-old shortstops?
I think this is a stupid debate. Jeter hasn’t shown any signs that he’s not capable of playing shortstop for the Yankees for the upcomming season or maybe the next few seasons. Some how it will all work out so lets talk about this year instead of this useless speculation!!!!