Jeter negotiations likely to remain private
Given the sensitivity of the issue, Derek Jeter and the Yankees almost certainly do not want details of their contract negotiations to leak out. (Oct. 22, 2010) Credit: AP
Negotiations between the Yankees and Derek Jeter will begin soon, and although those talks are likely to have some obstacles, it is just as likely that most of those obstacles will not see the light of day.
These, in other words, almost assuredly will not be negotiations that play out in public.
One industry source Thursday predicted the negotiations will take place under a "total blackout," not at all surprising given the player involved.
Teams and players often start by saying terms won't be hashed out in public, but it doesn't always stay that way as information from both sides gets leaked to the media. See the Johnny Damon talks with the Yankees last offseason as an example.
That is less likely to happen here. The last thing Jeter, famously protective of his privacy, wants is a public negotiation, something evident in the first sentence of comments made by his agent, Casey Close, on Wednesday.
"While it is not our intent to negotiate the terms of Derek's free-agent contract in a public forum,'' Close told AOL FanHouse, "we do agree with Hal's and Brian's recent comments that this contract is about business and winning championships."
He was referring to managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman, who has been holed up in meetings this week with his baseball operations and scouting staffs at the Stadium. Cashman hasn't said much publicly since his end-of-season meeting with reporters before the World Series. Like Close, he said the desire is to keep negotiations under wraps.
"I'm not going to talk publicly about how we're going to approach it," Cashman said. "We'll approach it with an honest conversation, share our perspectives like we do with all our players, Derek included. And then we'll receive their information and what their perspectives are, and then we'll go from there. And we'll regroup after each side hears what the other side's thoughts are. But as far as I'm concerned, the intent would be to keep things private."
Close's comments were in response to those made Tuesday by Steinbrenner in two radio interviews. The Steinbrenner remarks that have gotten the most attention are "we're running a business" and a warning to fans that the negotiations could get "messy" at points.
In his comments, Close seemed to indicate a hometown discount isn't in the offing.
"Clearly, baseball is a business, and Derek's impact on the sport's most valuable franchise cannot be overstated," he said. "Moreover, no athlete embodies the spirit of a champion more than Derek Jeter."
Putting a dollar figure on that, and for how many years, is the central question.
The Yankees are willing to overpay, and are prepared to overpay, because they need Jeter and Jeter needs them. Just about everyone sees it that way.
And although rumors and speculation are to be expected - and will only increase in intensity once talks begin and possibly drag on - the conclusion should be to everyone's liking.
As one industry official said: "At the end of the day, it will all get done."
Extra bases
The Yankees asked the White Sox for permission to talk to their pitching coach, Don Cooper, but were rebuffed, according to SI.com. Cooper has one year remaining on his contract . . . Gil Patterson, the A's minor- league pitching coordinator, will interview next week for the pitching coach job.
More Yankees headlines
