Worst Contract Year Ever...

Trust me, it pains me to say this.

I wish I (not pictured) could pretend it wasn't happening.

I have enjoyed every single game I've watched him play since he came up to the bigs.

But Derek Jeter has been awful this year.
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Obviously, with DJ it isn't a matter of effort.

One of the traits I love most about Jeter is that he goes 100% at all times.

You never see him not hustling.

That said, the results have been atrocious this year.

I can't tell you how many times I've been driving in my car, and listened to John Stirling try to apologize away another double-play hit into by 'el capitain.'
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Let's look at his numbers.

Right now, we're in September, so this is an honest sample size.

He's hitting .266.

That's pathetic.

He's over .300 as a lifetime hitter, has over 2,500 career hits.

On-base percentage: .322.

That's TERRIBLE for a lead-off guy.
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Leads me to 2 questions: 1. What Happened? 2. What do the Yankees do about him in the future?

The answer to number 1 could be, he got old.

He's 36.

Watch him run to first.

He's clearly lost a step.

That's natural.

But you can still be successful in baseball a step slower.

I'm hopeful that he's just having a bad year.

It happens, even to the best.
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The next question is about Derek's future.

His contract runs out at the end of the year.

Could the Yankees possibly ever let him go?

I highly doubt it.

Tell me an athlete who has engendered more goodwill in a town than Jeter in NY?

Doesn't exist.

But, as a Yankees fan you have to wonder, how long should that contract be?

If he looks a step slow now, what's he going to look like in five years?
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Ah, but there's hope.

That's because it's only early September.

The Yankees are 2.5 games ahead of the Rays for first place.

They will be playing in the Playoffs.

A good post-season, and Jeter can wash away the memories of this dreadful season.

Jeter just needs to remind everyone that he's greatest when the stakes are highest.

I just hope he still has it.

For the first time in his career, I'm not so sure.