For the first time in his career, Derek Jeter will become a free agent after Saturday night.
As long as the Yankees do not meet and come to a last-minute agreement with Jeter, he has the opportunity to negotiate with any team in the MLB. However, any other team would be hard pressed to match the amount the Yankees will likely throw toward their long-standing captain, especially as Jeter’s recent struggles at the plate come into consideration.
As a leadoff batter, one would expect for Jeter to reach first more than any other player on his team would. He did not show this in the ALCS at all. Instead, Jeter failed to reach a base in the first inning of any of the six games.
But despite hitting a career-low .270 this past season, Jeter will most likely end up with a Yankees jersey on next season. He has become the face that the baseball world pairs with the Yankees organization and the city.
It is expected that the Yankees will look to sign the 36-year-old shortstop for a three-year contract with a club option for the fourth year.
Coming off a 10-year, $189 million deal, Jeter will be lucky to get $20 million after this past season. It would be a stretch to say that another team would outbid the Yankees for the return of their captain.
Should the Yankees pursue the three-year option for Jeter, the shortstop would finish the term at age 39.
