Derek Jeter says he could leave Yankees for another team

Imagine Derek Jeter wearing the blue and orange of the Mets or — gasp — a Red Sox "B" on his cap instead of pinstripes in 2014.

It's not out of the question if you believe the baseball-as-a-business theory of the Bronx Bomber's captain and presumed Yankee-for-life.

Jeter sat down with ESPN's Rick Reilly and said playing with another team is always a possibility when it comes down to the bottom line.

As part of a 15-minute interview last Friday, Reilly asked Jeter: "Peyton Manning changed teams this season after 14 seasons with one team.  Could you see yourself doing it?"

"Well, if I wanted to keep playing, yes, Jeter replied.  It's a business.  People forget that."

Although Jeter is in the midst of a resurgence this season, fans should remember that players spending their entire careers with one team is almost unheard of these days and it was only a couple of years ago that Jeter was in a war of words with Yankees' brass during contract talks.  Remember the "Where's he gonna go, Cincinnati?" comment.

After those contentious negotiations, Jeter signed a three-year, $51 million contract through the 2013 season.  It includes an $8 million option for 2014.

A lot of people had already written Jeter off before he inked that deal — signed right before spring training camp — and, after the talks became public, Jeter said he was "angry how some of this went."

Before anyone gets the idea that the 38-year old is already shopping himself around, get over it.  Jeter was asked a logical question and gave an honest answer. He's been around the Yankees too long to know that sentimentality won't get in the way of business.  Yankees Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon were let go after great postseasons and 2009 World Series Championship rings and even the popular Bernie Williams' stellar resume couldn't keep the outfielder and his guitar in the Bronx.

Jeter is having a great season and — even though the Yankees have blown the 10-game lead they held in July — are in the driver's seat for another playoff run.  Jeter's .322 average and eighth 200-hit season are a big reason the Yankees are still in the race.

 Still, Jeter will be staring at the Big Four-O when his contract is up.

Yankee general manager Brian Cashman would not comment on the Jeter-Reilly interview, saying in an email to the New York Daily News, "No comment necessary."

The Yankees shortstop is the cornerstone of the organization and the thought of him chasing 4,000 hits in anything but a Yankees uniform would be a public relations nightmare for the Yankees and have fans screaming for Cashman's head.

Bottom line. Both men are businessmen in different types of pinstriped suits.