ESPN: Yankees want Jeter for thee years & $63M, but Jeter wants at least four years

Houston, we might have a problem.

Derek Jeter has finally taken a stance in contract negotiations, saying he wants a four-year deal at the minimum, preferably five or even six, according to a source of ESPN’s Wallace Matthews.

The source said the Yankees would have already closed a deal with Jeter if he would have accepted a three-year, $63 million deal.

Wow. I’m shocked by Jeter’s stance. He’s 36 years old, people are already questioning his range as a shortstop, and he wants at least four years guaranteed? So much for my idea of early retirement.

So now it all boils down to this: Can the Yankees live without Jeter, or can Jeter live without the Yankees?

I say Jeter’s in the driver’s seat. If the Yankees don’t budge and Jeter goes to another team, Yankees fans will never forgive the front office. But if he wants four years, it better be a front-stacked contract (something like $22M, $20M, $18M, $16M).

I’d love to hear your responses on this one. I’m stunned.