Yankees and Jeter agree to three-year deal
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York Yankees and Derek Jeter agreed a three-year deal worth about $17 million per year that ensures the All-Star will be Major League Baseball's highest paid shortstop, U.S. media reported on Saturday.
Jeter's deal is worth $15-17 million annually and contains an option for a fourth year, a New York Times report said, citing sources close to the matter.
The agreement follows weeks of negotiations during which the 36-year-old was seeking a four- to five-year deal for $23-24 million a year, the report said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jeter, an 11-time All Star and five-time World Series champion with the Yankees, is the face of the franchise but had to go through tough negotiations after the worst offensive season of his 16-year career.
According to reports, Jeter's deal has not been officially announced by the Yankees as he must still pass a physical examination.
Last season the shortstop had a .270 batting average, 10 home runs and 67 RBIs, all well off his career highs.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Alastair Himmer. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)