Derek Jeter Contract Negotiations Resume In Meeting With Yankees

More than a week passed by without the Yankees and Derek Jeter talking to one another. However, earlier Tuesday, we heard that talks would soon pick up once more, and now we get word from Ken Rosenthal that Jeter and agent Casey Close met with Yankees representatives in Tampa Tuesday afternoon.

It’s not a surprising development - the negotiations obviously had to continue at some point, as neither side was going to let things end where they were. It’s just an indication of progress. After taking a long holiday, both parties are back at it in an effort to get this thing done.

It’s worth noting that, according to Jon Heyman, there is now “renewed optimism” surrounding the whole situation. Things kind of got ugly when Jeter’s side was demanding far more than the Yankees are willing to pay, but that could and should prove to be little but a brief hiccup in the process, assuming Jeter and the team eventually reach a compromise. This meeting was intended to really get the ball rolling, and once it’s going, it shouldn’t take too long before they find an agreement.

Heyman also notes that the Yankees may be willing to budge a little from their initial offer, perhaps going so far as to include a fourth-year option.