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The Yanks would surely have to spin that to make it look like it was Jeter's idea. I dont know how amiable Jeter would be to moving off of short but its going to have to happen at some point. On the other hand if he wasnt going to move for A-rod would he move for someone with lesser talent?

Do you really think it's viable to have a great fielding shortstop -- which is no guarantee -- who will hit .210 with no power? Gonzalez hasn't yet shown the ability he's a starter in the big leagues. I know fielding is important, but you have to bring something offensively to the table. You can't simply be a black hole. Making Gonzalez the starting shortstop for this team would be the height of lunacy, if you stop and think about it.

I don't have any problem with Jeter considering a move off short -- and yes, I think it's HIS choice; it's not like he hasn't earned the right to resist the move -- but doing so for a guy who can't outhit Miguel Cairo? Nah...

A big part of the reason why Jeter is so valuable - aside from his amazingly consistent offensive production year-to-year, is the fact that he plays in a position that is not known for its offense. So Jeter at short, providing excellent offense, despite horrendous (at times) defense is far, far better than Jeter at third, providing sub-par (for a third baseman) offensive production, and also playing horrendous defense. If Jeter can't go to his left, why should he play third base, where you really only go to your left? Also, third base is a much more 'instinctual' position, seeing as how batted balls travel there faster. Jeter has horrible instincts, defensively. He would be an absolute disaster at third base.

Jeter makes the most sense in center. He certainly has the speed, and the fact that he's one of the best in the game on 'going back on pop-ups' should certainly lend itself to playing outfield. His offensive stats are also definitely above-average for a centerfielder.

If Alberto Gonzalez could indeed provide slightly below-average offensive production (for a shortstop), and indeed can play near-Everettian defense, then it makes sense for the Yankees. But he still has shown zero major league potential with the bat. Until that shows up, it's a no-go.

~~If Jeter can't go to his left, why should he play third base, where you really only go to your left?~~

At third, it's about reactions, not range. You don't need the range of a SS to play 3B. If a ball is 7 feet to your left, at 3B, it's probably by you before you know it - as you're playing in. At SS, where you play deeper, it's where range to your left and right matters more.

I have no fears about Jeter's ability to play 3B. He charges balls well and has a strong arm - he would do a decent job at 3B, IMHO.

~~~So Jeter at short, providing excellent offense, despite horrendous (at times) defense is far, far better than Jeter at third, providing sub-par (for a third baseman) offensive production~~~

AMERICAN LEAGUE
RCAA - 2007 - 3B

Leaders RCAA
1 Alex Rodriguez 83
2 Mike Lowell 23
3 Chone Figgins 18
4 Troy Glaus 13
5 Akinori Iwamura 11
6 Hank Blalock 9
7 Adrian Beltre 4
8 Joe Inglett 3
T9 Jack Hannahan 2
T9 Tommy Watkins 2
T9 Maicer Izturis 2

Jeter is usually good for 25 RCAA per season. If he played 3B, he would be one of the 3 best offensive 3B in the league - compared to the guys that played there last year.

Assuming the Yankees can't get a top bat to play 1B or 3B next year, it makes more sense to go for defense at SS than at 3B. Playing Jeter at third and Gonzales at short is better for the team than Jeter staying at short and the Yankees trading for Joe Crede, for example. If the possible thirdbasemen for the Yankees gets to the point where we're saying that their defense makes up for their lack of offense, then it makes more sense to promote Gonzalez.

But, like so many things, it's an idea that makes a lot of sense but will never happen. Jeter's ego is still too great to move from the spot he's held for eleven seasons. Look at how long it took Ripken to admit he was a liability at shortstop. Of course, if Jeter really was the demigod team-player the media wants to be, he would have already suggested the move...

http://www.nyyfans.com/article/8790/

You're right, Steve, on the offense. Jeter would provide above-average offense, even for third base. He just has no power anymore.

About the defense though, that's exactly why Jeter would not be good at third. The reason, I think anyway, he has no range to his left is because he has little natural instinct to go to his left. He's not exactly great at going to his right either. Sure, he's good at charging ground balls - because he plays shallow - but otherwise he may as well be a statue at third. Every ball that he would have to reach for would go by him.

Hey, Flaxseed - thanks for the shout out on that link. Always appreciated!

But, like so many things, it's an idea that makes a lot of sense but will never happen. Jeter's ego is still too great to move from the spot he's held for eleven seasons. Look at how long it took Ripken to admit he was a liability at shortstop. Of course, if Jeter really was the demigod team-player the media wants to be, he would have already suggested the move...Quote
Yeah,that was a good call.But if it has to be done for the good of the team then so be it.Jeter's ego is very big,but the Yankees front office will to win is great too.