Keidel: Cash And Cap
By Jason Keidel
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There's a two-pronged debate swirling around the Yankees, from Derek Jeter's future position on the diamond to Brian Cashman's bruised feelings.
There are several reasons for this. First, the Jets lost, and we need something to shout about. Had the Jets been invited to Super Bowl XLV, pitchers and catchers would wait a few weeks.
Second, it's impossible for many Jeter fans to concede that Jeter isn't Jeter anymore, and that age is irreversible. You're still sipping the dynasty Kool-Aid, which is understandable. You say he's the .334 hitter of 2009, rather than the .270 hitter of 2010. History suggests he will be the latter in 2011.
Jeter gets old. You get old. I get old. But to state the truth about Jeter has become blasphemy to those who can't accept the fact that Jeter won't be great forever. My inbox will bulge with people who will somehow extrapolate that I said Jeter is overrated. He's a legend whose bust will be bronzed in myriad locations, and his number will never be worn by another Yankee. What else do you want? Why can Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra switch positions but not Jeter?
We're all wed to the heroes of our youth, and letting them go is agonizing. I wanted Lynn Swann to play twenty years, Billy Martin to manage forty years, and Ron Guidry to pitch fifty years. But after we hit 40 we become too old to let nostalgia rule our spiritual radar.
The talk radio frenzy over where Jeter fields the ball four years from now is senseless. He is the shortstop this year, and this year is all that matters. Most of us don't know where we'll be living in two years, much less where a $200 million player will collect his checks in 2012.
Now there's the alleged chasm between Cashman and management.
Brian Cashman disliked the Rafael Soriano signing, and hence there's vocational egg on his face after being overruled by the Steinbrenner sons.
So what?
Cashman, more than anyone, knows the Yankee Universe is a zero sum affair. Win. The fact that the Yankees overpaid for a setup pitcher is relevant only to Cashman's abstract calculations of what the team's payroll should be. But if Hal and Hank are ready to drop the quid, who cares? Joe Girardi won't complain when he trots out to the pitcher's mound, taps his right wrist, and inserts last year's saves leader to pitch the eighth inning.
And Cashman, who has served at some Steinbrenner's behest for decades, knows his feelings are incidental. If he doesn't like it, he can take a gig in a small town for a small salary. Only about 500 men would form a conga line at Yankee Stadium, frothing to take his place.
Parenthetically, some are upset that Cashman and Jeter crossed symbolic swords over Jeter's future. Jeter is assured a spot on the Yankees' roster for at least three more years. Cashman's contract expires this year. That should end the argument.
The fact that Cashman is candid and vocal about his displeasure may make him a swell guy or a good quote, but it won't impact one game the team plays this year. But we need the momentary theater, a band-aid after the Jets failed to do what the Yankees have done 27 times.
Feel free to email me: Jakster1@mac.com
Has the great Jeter-to-outfield debate become overblown? Let us know in the comments below!
