Life Without DJ

Can you picture it? The Yankees without Derek Jeter? It’s hard to imagine, but with Jeter’s contract coming to an end after 2010, it could be a possibility. Joe Sherman has written about the concept and wonders if the Yankees will extend Jeter or pass him up, as he is aging and showing some signs of decline. Now, do I think that Jeter will ever leave the Yankees? No, I don’t. I just don’t see it happening, at least not in 2010. As long as Derek Jeter maintains a respectable level of production, he’ll be with the New York Yankees, he’ll get another contract (albeit a lesser contract) and he’ll end his career as a Yankee. Let’s not forget what Hank Steinbrenner said earlier this year about “taking care” of Jeter. Also, we’ve seen the Yankees (under Hank and Hal) provide loyalty-driven contracts to Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada.

I think they’ll do the same for Jeter (unless Hanley Ramirez is suddenly available…).

All Hands On Deck

After the 15-6 drubbing that the Yankees handed to the Royals, one would think that the team is unstoppable. But, of course, that’s not the case, and so the Yankees should be thankful knowing that help is probably on its way. Hideki Matsui will likely return tomorrow (he’ll have his knee evaluated today) after having 15 ABs in Florida (simulated game) while Carl Pavano, who pitched well in his start for Double-A (6 IP, 1 ER, 6 K, 1 W), could possibly return in time to face Baltimore (saaaay whaaaat?). Phil Hughes could have been up for the start (and he still could be), but his latest performance (3 2/3 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 4 K) wasn’t very memorable, making his impending return a bit hazy (for now).