Derek Jeter Returning for One More Year and What It Means

Sep 28, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (2) waves to the crowd after being replaced by a pinch runner during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees 2015 season isn’t starting off on the right foot. The newly-acquired shortstop Didi Gregorius has been dealing with a wrist injury. He hurt the wrist on a check swing and, with no timetable for his return, Gregorius’ status for Opening Day is in serious doubt. With no one else to turn to, who will the Yankees start at shortstop? 

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Unconfirmed reports say that the Yankees have reached out to their former captain, Derek Jeter. While last season was his last, Jeter is willing to come back for one more season.

“I’d love to,” he said. “If I have to give back all the gifts, I will. I mean, what am I going to do with a kayak anyway?” Throughout the season, each MLB team gave Jeter a gift. Some teams donated to his charity, while others presented him with some obscure items.

The Yankees traded for Gregorius as a fill-in for Jeter. I refuse to use the word ‘replacement’ because no one will be able to replace Jeter. Gregorius is a career .243 hitter. While his career has been just two full seasons, his best year was in 2013 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He hit seven home runs and 28 RBI with a .252 average. This spring has been an improvement. He has six RBI with a .300 average.

Gregorius has an ADP of 415.80 according to NFBC rankings. There are plenty of young and three-, four-, and five-tool shortstops worth drafting ahead of Gregorius. Double-digit home runs may be possible, but he will likely not provide you with much else. With the shortstop position pretty shallow, Jeter could finish in the top 20. He is worth a late-round flyer. In a deep league, getting 4/52/.260 out of Jeter in the 22nd round if a Godsend.

Last year was a bit of a let down for Jeter and his fans. After missing all but 17 games with various injuries, he came back for his “last” season. He played in 145 games, had 149 hits, four home runs, 50 RBI and 10 stolen bases with a .256 average.

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Jeter wants to end his career on a much better note. “I feel like I can hit .270. Last year was an emotional ride. But now that it’s over, I can focus on being a good No. 2 (no pun intended) hitter for the Yankees in 2015.”

While nothing is official, keep in mind that today is April Fool’s Day. Most of this article is false. The only things that are true are the numbers/statistics and Gregorius’ status for Opening Day. I hope you guys enjoyed this piece. As a Yankees fan, I would love if this were true. Sadly, it’s not.

Happy April Fool’s Day from us at Fantasy Baseball Crackerjacks!