It’s was not ” the shot ’round the world” but for Yankees fans today’s news that 2014 will be Derek Jeter’s last season was yet another reason this season must end with a World Series Title. Once that sad moment passed, everyone who has watched Jeters’ up and down seasons recently must be wondering which “Mr. November” will be coming to play.
Derek Jeter Odds During His Final Season with Yankees
His career line is impeccable and a first-ballot lock for Cooperstown: .312 AVG / .381 OBP / 256 HR / 1261 RBI / 348 SB
That converted to a season average would make most fantasy team owners envious: .312 AVG / .381 OBP / 16 HR / 79 RBI / 22 SB
And 2012 was a year that made it loud and clear that an aging Captain was not leaving any time soon: .316 AVG / .362 OBP / 15 HR / 58 RBI / 9 SB
Sadly 2013 was an injury-plagued campaign where he played in only 17 games and raised many questions: .190 AVG / .288 OBP / 1 HR / 7 RBI / 0 SB
Which Jeter will show up in 2014?
[sc:MLB240banner ]We’d have to expect there’s too much pride on the line on all sides to allow this final year to be anything but unforgettable. Now will it be for all the right reasons? Mariano Rivera faced tougher odds going into his final season when he had to return from ACL surgery and managed to put together a year that put young players to shame: 44 saves / 1.05 ERA / 2.11 WHIP. These marks are all better than his season average.
Can we expect the same from Jeter? Yankees fans would be happy with that .312 batting average, particularly if he can play in 150 or more games. Now the reality is that shortstop if a very demanding position and he won’t have the luxury of coming to the mound for an inning here or there.
With A-Rod off the books and a creaky and inconsistent Alfonso Soriano slotted in the DH, expect Jeter to split time across SS, DH, and some at 3B to lighten his load.
Another comparable may be the career arc of Cal Ripken who had a career year at age 38 where he batted .340 in 86 games, followed by batting .256 in 83 games, and then finished up batting .239 in 128 games. Even the iron man was not immune to age, so there’s no doubt these are the twilight years for Jeter.
How good will the Yankees be during Jeters’ last season?
The Dodgers and Tigers are still considered favorites ahead of the Bronx Bombers but beyond those two star-studded squads, the Yankees, Nationals, Cardinals, Red Sox are not far behind.
Looking at the AL pennant hunt, the Yankees figure in very prominently and are expected to claim a postseason berth thanks to their rejuvenated roster.
Whatever does happen every baseball fan is nervously waiting for opening day and to see just how this Yankees roster performs. Whether you love Jeter or not, he will go out with all the glory and respect of Mariano Rivera, Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr. and all the other all-time greats who recently retired and left a mark on the national pastime.
