I find this somewhat funny and at the same time, fascinating. Two two sides could be $50 million apart. Neither Jeter nor his agent, Casey Close, has disclosed what numbers they are seeking, but it is believed Jeter wants a five- to six-year deal somewhere in the range of $20 million a year. If you do the math, that's a difference of at least $50 million from the Yanks' offer. Most baseball analysts agree that, on the open market, the 36-year-old Jeter would attract no more than a two-year deal for a total of $15 million to $20 million. Despite Steinbrenner's comments, an undercurrent of testiness has entered the talks. Both sides claim they want Jeter to remain a Yankee, but it appears these negotiations are not going to be the breeze that some envisioned when his 10-year, $189 million contract expired at the end of the season. I think it's a given he ends up a Yankee again next season. It would be really funny if the Yankees end up being "forced" to overpay him, but it sounds like they are sticking tot heir guns for right now.