With the Twins' signing of Joe Maurer, the Yankees should follow suit and offer contracts to Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera.
The Yankees should do this right away, for many reasons.
First of all, they deserve it.
They have given Yankee fans something they missed for nearly two decades, championships! They are definite Hall of Famers and possibly the best to play at their positions ever.
If Phil Rizzuto were still with us, he certainly would agree.
Holy cow! Make Jeter and Rivera wait for contracts until the end of the season? What huckelberry came up with that idea? Second of all, Jeter and Rivera are true Yankees.
They came up through the Yankees' minor league system.
In this age of other players jumping quickly at shiny offers, they have shown their loyalty to the Yankees.
The Yankees should return the loyalty.
Perhaps players like Johnny Damon, a transplanted Red Sox, deserve less respect.
Not Jeter and Rivera.
Third of all, their effort has always been consistent.
Of course, both performed at a high level last year.
But take a look at the record books.
Jeter produces around two hundred hits every year.
Rivera is always at the top of the saves list.
Most importantly, the Yankees should not risk the chance of losing them.
Improbable? Joe Montana, Walt Frazier, Joe Namath, and even Babe Ruth finished their careers with the wrong teams.
Imagine the furor if Jeter or River are allowed to slip away after everything they have meant to the Yankees.
Even worse, imagine if they return with other teams to beat the Yankees in the playoffs or the world series.
The Yankees are the team that is suppose to go out and get the best players from other teams, not the other way around.
Yankee Stadium is full.
The dollars are certainly available.
Make Jeter and Rivera wait for their well deserved contracts? Come on, forget about it!