Angry Jeter Should Worry About Future

The Yankees made their shortstop happy,
kind of, for the next 3 years. 

Derek Jeter let it be known how he felt about the recent contract negotiations he had with the New York Yankees. 

He was angry.

Of course he is not angry with the 3 year, $51 million dollars that the Yankees handed their most lauded star, which was probably $21 million more than fair market value. 

Instead, Jeter was angry about the "process."

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't angry how some of this went," Jeter said at the news conference. 

"I'm going to be honest with you guys, the thing that bothered me the most was how public this became.  This was a negotiation that was supposed to be private. It was an uncomfortable position I felt I was in. It was not enjoyable experience because throughout the years I've prided myself on keeping things out of the papers and out of the media. This turned into a big public thing. That is something I was not happy about. I let my feelings be known."

It is understandable how Jeter could feel slighted by how the Yankees to a certain extent.  Sure Jeter means more to Yankees fans than any single player to any franchise in professional sports across the entire world. 

But he really shouldn't be angry about the money and it by no means is disrespectful to pay a 36 year old shortstop with limited range, little power, and a declining batting average (.270 last season) $17 million a season for the next three years. 

Look at it this way.  Derek Jeter is going to make $17 million for the next three seasons.  World Series MVP Edgar Renteria might be completely out of baseball in 2011. 

What Jeter should be angry about is how selfish he is acting in the last couple seasons of his "playing" career. 

Jeter, easily the most be-loved Yankee since Mickey Mantle, should be playing his cards in a way to get a forever contract with the Yankees as a front office manager and minority owner of the club. 

If Jeter really wants the "paycheck", asking for ownership and continuing to be "Everything Yankee" should be in his best interest. 

When I say "Everything Yankee," I mean he should display the prideful, honorable, hard working, and proud attitude that he has exemplified throughout his entire 15 year Hall of Fame career.  Not the selfish and rich scum that non-Yankee fans view most in pinstripes as.

Jeter got his contract and he is not happy how it was handled.  That's fine.

What will be really interesting is how he will handle being the highest paid 9th place hitter in the league.

Oh, and how he'll handle life after baseball if he manages to damage his future in the Yankee front office. 

Related articles

• New York Yankees: Derek Jeter Signs Three Year, $51 Million Dollar Deal (bleacherreport.com)
• Jeter Was 'Uncomfortable' During Contract Talks (nytimes.com)
• Yankees finalize US$51- million deal with Derek Jeter (thestar.com)