Derek Jeter Looking for an Insane Contract

Earlier today, Bill Madden of the New York Daily News reported that the Jeter/Close camp is looking for a contract in the range of 6 years $150M.

"Throughout this process, Close and Jeter have never revealed what they're actually looking for - which is why so many Yankee fans, opposing club officials and nationwide media types are asking: Why are the Yankees treating Jeter this way? But sources close to the Jeter/Close camp have said their starting point was six years, $150 million and that they aren't budging on $25 million per year - which would effectively get the captain about even in annual average salary to Alex Rodriguez, the real benchmark from their standpoint in this negotiation."

Yes, you read that correctly.  As I mentioned the other day, the Yankees have given Jeter their blessing to test the free agent market.  Presumably, this will give Jeter and Close a chance to see how much he's really worth on the free agent market, thereby bringing his demands back to reality.

The Jeter free agent frenzy is going to be a long, painful road.  Dave Cameron recently compared Jeter's situation to that of Manny Ramirez during the 2008-2009 offseason.  I don't think that's too far off to be honest.  Like Manny, Jeter is coming to terms with the idea that his value is not nearly as great as it once was.  That can be a tough lesson for any player to learn--especially one that's been a cornerstone for one of the keystone franchises in baseball.

UPDATE (11/26/2010 @ 6:05 p.m.):  Jeter's agent, Casey Close, responded to the claim that Jeter is requesting a 6 year $150M contract:

"The recently rumored terms of our contract extension are simply inaccurate."

Not surprising.  He doesn't want anyone thinking that neither he, nor his client, are crazy.  Of course, Close didn't say what he and Jeter were requesting from the Yankees (or any other team for that matter).  Then again, Close doesn't seem like the kind of guy that likes to negotiate through the media.  Oh wait...