2013 New York Yankees Recap: Derek Jeter

Sep 17, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees shortstop

(2) looks on from the dugout in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

When last we saw Derek Jeter at the end of 2012, his ankle was breaking as he was fielding a groundball in the ALCS. There was hope in spring training that he could start the season with the team, but he injured the ankle again. It was a season full of one step forward and two steps back for the captain. He managed to play a little bit during 2013 but you could clearly tell he wasn’t the same. He was finally shut down in September. What will 2014 have in store for the captain? Before we get there, let’s revisit a year Jeter would like to forget.

2013 Stats: 17 games .190/.288/.254, one home run, seven RBI

2013 Game Of The Year: Clearly not a lot to choose from. However, let’s go with September 2nd against the White Sox. In the Yankees 9-1 win, Jeter went 2-4 with a run and drove in two runs.

2014 Outlook: First of all, assume Jeter picks up his $9 million player option for the season. That should be announced rather quickly after the World Series. How much can you really expect from Jeter? He probably won’t be capable of going out and  playing 150 or more games at shortstop anymore. I think those days are officially over. Jeter and Alex Rodriguez (suspension pending) are going to need a lot of time at the DH spot so the Yankees will have to figure out some depth at short and third. It wouldn’t shock me to see Jeter hit like his old self next year. He’s going to want to prove everybody wrong and show he still has gas in the tank.