Roger Rubin and Bill Madden of the New York Daily News are reporting that Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees are nearing a deal that would pay the superstar shortstop $19 million annually over a course of three years. The source says that a deal is “imminent.”
The Yankees/Jeter negotiations have been ongoing for over a month now, and have been nothing short of ugly. New York originally offered the same amount of years for $45 million, and initially refused to raise it. Jeter’s agent, Casey Close, had claimed the 36-year old had been looking for up to six years worth $23 million per season.
After allegedly being pursued by the Red Sox and Giants, the Yankees decided to raise their offer within the past few days to around $50 million, and it appears they will go slightly above for the face of the franchise. The report, however, is unconfirmed.
Jeter had his worst statical season in 2010, as he only hit .270 with 10 home runs and 67 runs-batted-in. Nonetheless, he is 74 hits away from the milestone 3,000th hit, and should reach it this year in the Bronx.
Earlier in the day, the Yankees reached an agreement with Derek’s “Core Four” teammate, Mariano Rivera, on a two-year deal.
A deal is expected to be completed as early as Saturday.
