After Jeter’s 3,000th Hit, He Needs to Swallow His Pride

by Dan

Derek Jeter will get his 3,000th hit: Eventually.

The Yankees took the field without their captain, and yet again won, this time over the crosstown rival Mets, who had just gotten back from beating the tar out of the Detroit Tigers, minus yet another stellar performance from Justin Verlander.  Is it because the team has magically banded together in the absence of their captain?  Or is it that the captain just isn’t what he used to be and his production is more easily replaced?

As time ticks on, it has become more and more apparent that Father Time has laid his hands upon Derek Jeter’s baseball career, and eventually the Yankees will have to address this.

I am all for the team putting this issue aside while Derek’s seemingly never-ending quest for hit number 3,000 continues.  However, post All Star break, or whenever the quest ends, Derek Jeter needs to be moved down in the lineup.  Take tonight’s game.  Nick Swisher singles, setting up a three run 1st inning for the Yanks, in a game where runs would prove to be very scare after that.  Derek Jeter and his paltry on base percentage has led to fewer runs scored early in the game for the Yankees, and overall as he receives slightly more at bats being in the top of the order than some at the bottom of it.   Not saying that Eduardo Nunez should be receiving any time over Jeter, seeing as he has managed to be even worse in the field and at the plate than a rapidly aging Jeter.  But shortly after hit 3,000 (give it a week after the milestone) talk should start to become action when it comes to dropping Jeter in the order. (7th sounds about right)

Hypothetical Lineup:

1)Gardner, LF

2)Granderson, CF

3)Tex, 1B

4)A-Rod, 3B

5)Cano, 2B

6)Swisher, RF

7)Jeter, SS

8)Martin, C

9)Posada, DH

Switching Martin for Posada is fine, I just went with that.  Perhaps letting Posada hit 8th will prevent another baby episode on his behalf from happening.

Derek Jeter is going to be on this team for a few more years, whether he is still good or not, so this issue is going to have to be addressed unless the Yankees are content with not maximizing the full potential of this already potent lineup.