New York Yankees

Tsk, tsk, Yankees. You should have known better.

Once agent Casey Close made the Derek Jeter negotiations public this weekend, proving Hal Steinbrenner's "things could get messy" prophecy as true, the team needed to be thinking two steps ahead.

As the MLB rumor mill continues to churn, many fans are beginning to show a disdain towards the carousel-style news surrounding their favorite players.

Just ask Philadelphia Phillies’ fans about Jayson Werth updates.

This week—particularly the past 48 hours—there is even more confusing media frenzied news to keep fans on the edge of their seat, as they wait with baited breath to find out the latest whispers.

Picture a franchise player who was once considered one of the best players in baseball.  Fans watched him grow from an ambitious kid to a superstar, to now what could be the twilight of his career.  This is the case of Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees.

After a near two-month search, the Yankees hired Larry Rothschild to fill their vacant pitching coach position.  Mr. Rothschild resigned from his position inside the Cubs organization as their Major League pitching coach. 

New York Yankee SS Derek Jeter has been reportedly told he will not be offered arbitration by the club.  It has been widely reported that there is a large gap between the Jeter and Yankee camps.  Rumor has it that the Yankees are holding fast at a three-year offer in the neighborhood of $15 million per season.  Meanwhile Jeter’s camp is reportedly looking for more years and a higher annual salary. 

At the end of the 2009 season, Derek Jeter had a lifetime batting average of .317. The only players in New York Yankees' history who did better were Babe Ruth (.349), Lou Gehrig (.340), Earle Combs (.325) and Joe DiMaggio (.325).

In 2010, Jeter batted .270, which lowered his lifetime batting average from .317 to .314 and his on-base average from .388 to .385.

The New York Yankees have officially told Derek Jeter what they think of him at this point in his career. By declining to offer Jeter arbitration, the Yankees have basically said to Jeter, "Go fish."  The Yankees and Jeter are in the middle of the first free-agent period in Jeter's career.

In the beginning of November, the Yankees made getting Cliff Lee to New York a major priority.

First, they contacted his agent Darek Braunecker the very first day possible.

A couple weeks later, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman flew down to Arkansas to meet with Lee, his wife Kristen and Braunecker, mostly as a formal meet and greet.

Cliff Lee of the Texas Rangers (at least for now) is the prized free agent pitcher heading into the 2011 season.

And perhaps the biggest prize of all free agents.

Where will he wind up and, presumably, pitch for the next five or so years? It appears to be a two-horse race between the Rangers and the favored New York Yankees.

The New York Yankees spend huge amounts of money to be the best baseball team in MLB, translating the dollars into World Series Championships.

For the last 16 seasons, shortstop Derek Jeter has been the face of the franchise.

With the Jeter and the Yankees having trouble getting a contract worked out, will it really hurt the dynasty? 

While in his tenure with the Yankees, Jeter has helped lead the team to five World Series Titles.  

Jeter, the 11 time All-Star, seems to still be going strong, but do the Yankees really need Jeter to succeed?