WHY IT'S GETTING LATE EARLY

11-28-2010: According to NBC Sports, A source told SI's Jon Heyman that the Yanks “appear willing to enhance” their offer to Jeter, possibly to three years and $50 million.

Jeter is hoping for an annual salary of about $23 million over four or five years, but he should really be flattered if the Yanks indeed add a whole $5 million to the package. No team would match that. Heck, no team is going to match the Bombers’ original offer.

Agent Casey Close can celebrate a small victory if Heyman’s source is correct. And an agreement, hopefully, will be reached by the end of next week.

11-26-2010: So, first it was reported by everyone that Jeter wanted 6 years $150 million dollars. Everyone jumped on it. Yes, it's true, and then it wasn't true. Close came out and said that was totally wrong. Hmm. Okay, fine, it wouldn't be the first time that huge numbers are out there and every blogger is salivating.

Then the New York Times came out with a report saying Jeter actually wanted a 4 to 5 year deal worth $23 to 24 million a year. And I say this... What's the difference bro?

Look, from a negotiation standpoint, you aim high and see what you the Yankees come back with right? Right. BUT, from a reputation standpoint, you do that and you come off arrogant, greedy and NOT a team player. In fact, any way you slice it, those numbers are offensive. If I'm Cashman, I'm ending parties right there.

I get both sides of this negotiation. From the outside looking in, it's looking damn dirty. We know Jeter's credentials. He has won five World Series titles in 16 years with the Yankees. He's been a Rookie of the Year. In 2000, he was an MVP of an All-Star game, and a World Series MVP. He's an 11 time All-Star. He's won Silver Slugger Awards, Gold Gloves... He's even dated Jessica Biel. He's clutch and He's the Captain. But guess what? He's also 36 and despite what everyone says about paying the man, including me... you just can't pay the man that much money. If Jeter were to test the market right now, every team will laugh at him if he was asking that price. Then, he'd come crawling back and take what the Yankees would give him. Now, the Yanks won't be jerks about it, I mean, they did they're research when they came up with their number. But it would just be about eating humble pie for Jeet, and that's OK, because it would be chalked up as a lesson learned.

The Yankees originally offered Jeet a three-year, $45 million deal that would make Jeter, 36, the highest-paid shortstop in Major League Baseball. Close, on behalf of Jeet, was "baffled" by the way the Yankees we're treating his client. That, in itself was baffling. Who does Close think he is? And so the stalemate continues and I guess now we just wait through the weekend while the 2 sides talk, or don't. Who knows. There will be more ridiculous numbers being thrown around, bad press and hopefully Hank doesn't talk to the media anymore.

Now back on November 3rd, I wrote WHY JETER IS AN ICON. In it, I talked about Jeter's contract and what I speculated would be the numbers, in my opinion. I figured a 5 year, $56 million range with a 6th year option of $9 million was fair. In my opinion, if you do that, you phase the guy out. Also, there would have to be a discussion and understanding that Jeter may not be the full-time shortstop after 4 years or so and if they pick up the 6th option, Jeter for sure is a bench player for the New York Yankees, but still is the Captain and still helps lead the team. I also believe that they would have certain incentives they will pay him for. I mean, you have to know that the Yankees, if they want Jeet there for 4 years, want to see him break records in a Yankee uniform.

At the end of the day, I'm not happy about any of this. Look, you never really know what these players are thinking, and as a fan, you think no player that's as squeaky clean as Jeter, can also be a greedy S.O.B. I hope that part isn't true, we will never know for sure. But the way the media is dragging both the Yankees and Derek through the mud is lousy, but hey, it's free agent season, I wouldn't expect anything less.

Let's just hope it all works out in the end, or Eduardo Nunez may have a full time job come April.

Please comment and let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.

WHY IS HE BAFFLED?

Derek Jeter's agent Casey Close is baffled by the handling of negotiations with Jeet. Baffled. He said Baffled, not thrilled, saddened, baffled. Why? Not sure. Here is Casey's quote:

"Derek's significance to the team is much more than just stats. And yet, the Yankees' negotiating strategy remains baffling."

I love Derek Jeter, I know by now everyone knows it. I don't care, I'll scream it out my bedroom window for the world to hear. I know Jeter is the face of the Yankees. But I also know that he's an aging shortstop, iconic yes, but aging and everyone knows, EVERYONE knows that the money that Mr. Close is thinking he's going to get for his client, is NOT going to happen. The smartest thing Jeter needs to do right now is tell Mr. Close the listen to his client, and seal the deal with the Yankees. If not, Close alienates the team, alienates the fans and when he shops his aging shortstop on the market, the only money he's going to get is the same or less. There is no leverage anywhere else, UNLESS, Jeter just wants to JUST play baseball anywhere. But he doesn't, Jeter ONLY wants to play for the New York Yankees. Jeet needs to step in soon or he'll be making $8 million for 1 year for the Tigers, like his old pal Johnny Damon. The way Boras handled Damon last year was embarassing and Damon ended up looking like the biggest fool of them all. Yes, Boras did too, but we all know Boras is a tool. Damon came out of that whole ordeal looking idiotic. He should have been embarassed. WE DON'T want that type of fate happening to Mr. Jeter. Casey Close needs to remember what happened last year. Now people are going to say, "Damon's not Jeter." This is true, but, if your a fan who doesn't read every stat, you just see a greedy ballplayer, you're not comparing stats and if you act like a cry baby (through your agent) you look like one too. Take the deal Jeet, take the deal.

If Casey Close wants to go out and shop around Jeet, They Yankees should laugh at him. There is no way in hell anything better comes back to him. 3 years $45 million is damn good. Hell, if Close came back asking for a 4th year option and $50, I'd top it off there and sign him on the spot. But that's it, that's the ceiling. Close can't be greedy here. I know he's "acting" like he's doing what's best for his client, but he'll end up screwing him in the end.... Then I'll be baffled, and nobody wants that.

Please comment and let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.