Derek Jeter Contract Negotiations With Yankees Nearing Resolution

After all the drama, it seems we may at last be nearing an end.

The 36-year-old Derek Jeter hit free agency fresh off the worst season of his career. The Yankees offered him three years and $45 million to return, but Jeter and agent Casey Close were looking for more, with reports putting their wishes at four or five years and $22-24 million per season. Clearly, there was an enormous gulf between what Jeter wanted and what Jeter was being offered, and the situation began to make national headlines.

However, the Yankees showed a willingness to increase their offer a little bit while Jeter showed a willingness to lower his demands, and now, according to Sweeny Murti, the two sides are very close to reaching an agreement. Speculation is that a contract could be put in place over the weekend, and while the Yankees aren’t likely to give Jeter a guaranteed fourth or fifth year, they could very well provide a fourth year option.

It’s important that the Yankees get their negotiations with free agents Jeter and Mariano Rivera squared away, as the Winter Meetings kick off on Monday, and the team would like to have a good idea of how much money they have available to spend as they talk with Cliff Lee and Carl Crawford.