I am sure that Derek Jeter will attempt to play in 2014 – regardless of how this season ends up. #2 has a Player Option for $8 MIL in 2014. It would behoove he and the club if Jeter exercises it. After he led the MLB in hits last year with 216, he is sitting on j11 knocks in 2013 – due to 3 DL stints and just 49 AB. The Yanks are hoping that Jeter can provide them a spark towards a 2013 playoff spot. The worst the team has ever done in his 19 year career, is finish 87 -74 in 2000 (still won the WS). The only time the club missed the playoffs – was in 2008, when they were 89 – 73.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst and Website Owner) Follow @mlbreports
This season has to have been the most mentally grueling campaign for EL Capitan. Jeter has fought through several injuries, DL stints, and seen his teammates struggle for the 1st time in 5 years.
Despite all of that, Derek Jeter smacked two base hits last night (including his 3315th) – to pass Eddie Collins for 10th on the ALL – Time Hit List (If you are on mlb.com). It was just the Shortstops 11th hit on the year.
Next on the list is long time Brewer great, and Baseball Hall of Famer Paul Molitor at 3319 Career hits sitting 9th. With any luck, Jeter will pass this legend by the week’s end.
Derek Jeter’s only HR this year
Paul Molitor sits in 9th ALL -Time for hits with 3319 (just 4 ahead of Jeter.) The two players are really similar with career numbers. Molitor missed 382 games from 1981 – 1987 (including just 13 GP in ’84), otherwise he may be in the top 5 ALL – Time.
Rank
Player (yrs, age)
Hits
Bats
1.
Pete Rose (24)
4256
B
2.
Ty Cobb+ (24)
4189
L
3.
Hank Aaron+ (23)
3771
R
4.
Stan Musial+ (22)
3630
L
5.
Tris Speaker+ (22)
3514
L
6.
Cap Anson+ (27)
3435
R
7.
Honus Wagner+ (21)
3420
R
8.
Carl Yastrzemski+ (23)
3419
L
9.
Paul Molitor+ (21)
3319
R
10.
Eddie Collins+ (25)
3315
L
Derek Jeter (19, 39)
3315
R
Just a note here, that http://www.mlb.com has Eddie Collins listed at 3314 Career Hits, and I am choosing to go with that, instead of the BR.com’s 3315 you see above in this list.
After he accomplishes this, #8 is Carl Yastrzemski+ with 3419 and #7 on the list (Honus Wagner) is at 3420 Hits.
If #2 comes back for another campaign next season, Jeter should be able to run down that past great – and also (Cap Anson ) at 3435 for #6.
With seeing a curbed 2013, for Games Played and At-Bats, also has curtailed the thought Derek Jeter can chase down many others on the list for the list.
I was never one of those people who said that he could rundown Ty Cobb, Pete Rose, or 4000 hits for that matter. His position would never allow him to do that.
Heck, Jeter may spend some time at DH in 2014, and possibly could make the transition over to Third Base for a year – while Alex Rodriguez is under suspension.’
I do believe the 39 Year Old from New Jersey, has one good season left in him. At a good clip, he may see 550 AB. Based on this, he should be good for around 160 – 180 Hits.
This would put him right near Tris Speaker‘s 3515 (200 Hits from right now) base knocks, for 5th on the list.
If Jeter were to play in 2015 (I hope he doesn’t, because it is okay to leave the game mostly at the top), he would also have a great chance at running down Stan Musial for 5th at 3630 (315 Hits away right now).
Stan Musial led in over 70 Single Season Categories for his distinguished career. Incredibly, the man hit .310+ in 16 straight seasons from 1942-1958. Musial is 4th on the ALL – Time Hit List behind only Aaron, Cobb and Rose.
Mr. Jeter doesn’t have the type of game for DH, and the Yankees will need to clear that spot for a power hitter in that season, as it will be the year the club hits the reset button on payroll flexibility.
One of the reasons Boston has been good for so long, is that David Ortiz is a far superior DH to most of his counterparts in the American League, and the club has ridden him to several playoff spots.
I would give Ichiro Suzuki a better chance to be playing baseball in 2015, than Jeter. The Japanese superstar would be a great 4th OF, and he is still in great shape to defend.
Ichiro Suzuki has 2729 hits in the MLB and 1278 Japan hits – for a total of 4007 Pro Hits. Who would you take between he and Jeter for hits from this date forward? I think you must go with Suzuki. The Japanese Superstar is 271 hits (and 250 to pass Pete Rose for the professional record of 4256) from 3000, while Jeter is 200 from #5 on the All – Time List and 315 hits away from #4 in Musial. I have often said that it would be cool if the two players retired at the same time, however I think Ichiro may outlast Jeter by potentially 1 or 2 years.
The 2013 has taken its toll on the 19 year Veteran. Jeter will also turn 40 during the 2014 season. If he were to play another year, it would make him 41.
Even players like Cal Ripken had to switch positions later in their career to prolong it. That would give even more credence to him moving to 3rd base next year.
I hate even writing an article like this. It is merely to point out how historic that Jeter has been in his career. That he is among these Hall Of Fame Players is a testament to his professionalism and durability.
I certainly hope #2 has a great final month of September, that the Yankees can somehow squeak into the playoffs behind he and Mariano Rivera.
If that doesn’t happen it won’t be the end of the line. I can’t see Jeter hanging them up in injury riddled year.
At least with A – Rod’s money hypothetically coming off of the books for at least 2014, the team should be able to resign Robinson Cano, a few Starting Pitchers to replace Phil Hughes, Hiroki Kuroda, and potentially Andy Pettitte.
I am hoping that Derek Jeter will exercise his $8 MIL Player Option for 2014. The Yankees have made it abundantly clear that they will leverage to get under the $189 MIL Threshold for team salary next season.
If he can realize that he is worth a salary like that, and not wish to renegotiate for more, it would be a perfect scenario for the Yankees management.
2013 will not be the final chapter in Derek Jeter’s illustrious career.
The Yanks have made the Post Season in 17 of 18 seasons with Jeter, including 10 ALCS Appearances, 7 World Series Appearances and 5 World Series Titles. Derek Jeter is the ALL – Time leader in hits (200), AB 650, PA (743) Runs (111), TB (305) 2B (32), 3B (5) for the Post Season. His BA is .308 in that time frame – with 20 HRs and 63 RBI. The Yankees start play tonight 2 1/2 Games behind Tampa for the 2nd WILD CARD spot with 24 games remaining.
*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com or their partners.***
Chuck Booth - Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner and author of the Fastest 30 Ballgames: To learn more about my “The Fastest 30 Ballgames Book” and how to purchase it, click here .
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