Jeter calls talk of leaving Yankees 'comical'

Derek Jeter isn't going anywhere — that is unless the New York Yankees organization isn't prepared to whip out its wallet and pay the Yankee-for-life.

Last night Jeter clarified comments he made about leaving the Yankees a day after stories surfaced about that possibility when his contract expires after the 2013 season.

In an interview with ESPN's Rick Reilly, Jeter was asked, "Peyton Manning changed teams this season after 14 seasons with one team.  Could you see yourself doing that?"

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

The Captain's simple answer set off a maelstrom of panic in the Yankee Universe.  What did he mean by that?  Is he leaving?  Is he retiring?

Jeter set the record straight Friday night before playing the Oakland A's at Yankee Stadium and put his fans at ease.

"I'll tell you what went down. I was asked about Peyton Manning, going from Indianapolis to Denver," Jeter told reporters.  "The question was in reference to if the organization doesn't want you around anymore, do you still want to play?  You have no choice but to go to another team, I think it's common sense.  I'm glad you guys had fun with it.  It was about Peyton Manning.

"I think it's comical that we're talking about it after I told you guys time and time again, I can't picture myself playing anywhere else, have fun with it.  It's a business; there are two sides to a business, that's what the reference was.

"I've been asked this question 100 times and I told you guys the same thing."

Asked again if he wants to finish his career wearing pinstripes Jeter said," That's what I told you my whole focus has been since Day 1 so why are we even talking about it?  I think its comical after I've been pretty vocal every time [I've been] asked the same question.  It's eve more amusing that we're talking about it now."

Are the contentious negotiations with the Yankees before the 2011 season still a sore spot with Jeter?

"Come on now," said Jeter.  "There was joking around the whole interview.  It's not really a big deal.  Have fun with it as much as you like.  I understand I was on the front page, back page.  Then you guys wonder why I don't tell you anything.  I don't answer any questions because something like this happens."

The 38-year old Jeter, who extended his hitting streak to 15 last night, is swinging the bat like he was a decade ago.  By the end of this season, he should only be about 700 hits short of his quest for 4,000.

Don't expect Jeter to pass anymore milestones wearing anything but pinstripes.

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.