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All the talks surrounding Derek Jeter were put to rest today when he spoke in front of the press. Quite frankly, Yankee fans heard exactly what they wanted. But they also heard what they expected.

"I've said from Day One, this is the only organization I've ever wanted to play for, and that's still true today," Jeter said.

Surprised? Neither am I. I don't think anyone really doubted that Jeter would be in pinstripes next year. But, it's understandable why people would be nervous when you talk about someone like Jeter.

Jeter went on to gush about the Yankees, and his desire to stay there for life.

Yankees GM, Brian Cashman got in his fair share of gushing as well, saying things like "[Jeter's] been [a] Yankee for life, and that's what we intend to see happen."

Jeter will be on the Yankees in 2011 and 2012 and 2013 and maybe even 2014. You can bet all your money on that.

Something smart did come out of this conference, though. Cashman -- along with Jeter -- made it clear that the talks will not open until after the season starts. That's the way it should be. Right now, Yankee fans don't care about how much Jeter will make, and they shouldn't. All they care about -- and all Jeter cares about -- is whether or not they will be lining up on Broadway for another parade next year.

So, in the end, Yankee fans will get everything they wanted. They won't have to worry about Jeter not being a Yankee in 2011, and they don't have to worry about any contract talks distracting the 2010 Yankees.

However, one thing is still in the air. The next contract will end sooner or later, and Jeter will too. What Yankee fans do not want to see is Derek Jeter tarnish his legacy by sticking around longer than his abilities merit. They want to see Derek Jeter retire as the Class Act and the Champion that he truly is, not as some left fielder who stuck around to get over 3,000 hits. When Jeter is no longer able to play shortstop, he will more than likely walk away from the game that he loves.

jess.coleman@classactsports.com
twitter.com/nycoleman

A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press the Detroit Tigers and Damon have reached a preliminary agreement on an $8 million, one-year contract. The person, who talked Saturday on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been announced, says the contract is subject to a physical, which will be some time next week.

New York Mets third baseman, David Wright, told the Daily News that increasing his power numbers will not be his focus in spring training.

Wright -- in the first season of the new Citi Field -- hit a career low 10 home runs after hitting a career high 33 the year before.

At first, this drop off would suggest that Wright had a bad season. Most sluggers would consider a 10 home run season a bad season, right?

Wrong. Wright didn't decline as a player, he changed as a player. It is a situation that is uncommon, and is difficult to identify. But in Wrights case, it is pretty evident by his numbers.

Although he didn't hit a lot of home runs, Wright saw his batting average increase, but not by much. The surprising number is that Wright increased his batting average on balls in play from a .328 in 2008, to a career high .400 in 2009.

At first glance, luck may be to blame. However, it is unlikely that a stat would increase .72 points, not to mention to a career high.

It seems that hitting in a considerably bigger park has changed Wright as a player. Changing as a player should also change how he is used as a player.

For the duration of his career, Wright has been a middle of the lineup player, but he is not that player anymore. A middle of the lineup player hits a lot of home runs and gets a lot of extra base hits, which Wright used to do.

But not anymore. The high batting average on balls in play shows that Wright is now the kind of player that is going to shoot the ball around the field and get on base a lot. That is not the profile of a middle of the lineup player.

The Mets are going to need to make a change to get the most out of their lineup. Wright will most likely no longer hit 30+ home runs spending half of his season in a pitchers park like Citi Field. Putting Wright back in the middle of the lineup is going to strip the Mets of a lot of runs.

With Bay -- a slugger -- coming onto the team, this is a perfect time to move Wright into the two hole, or possibly even the three hole. The Mets need a change, and sometimes the biggest difference can be made in a very small way.

jess.coleman@classactsports.com
twitter.com/nycoleman

One of the biggest question's of the past decade has been: what is going to happen to the Yankees once Derek Jeter is gone. About a week ago, we may have obtained that answer.

The Yankees are looking into Cuban shortstop Adeiny Hechevarria. The Angels are also intrigued by the 19 year-old, and many other teams are likely to enter the bidding shortly.

If the Yankees do end up signing Hechevarria, or plan to in the future, it will be interesting to see how that affects the amount Jeter gets offered next season. It will also be interesting to see how Jeter is affected once Hechevarria is ready to advance to the majors.

If Hechevarria is ready to play in the majors and Jeter is still a Yankee, don't expect the Yankees to prolong Hechevarria's growth just to keep Jeter at shortstop. If Hechevarria is ready, he will be playing shortstop.

So then what happens to Jeter? He can either (a) retire or (b) switch postions.

Sorry to tell all of you Yankee fans, but (a) is the likely answer. Derek Jeter has been a Class Act throughout his entire career. He will not stick around at some other position just to stay in the majors or pad his stats, and also won't want do change teams. Derek Jeter will leave the Majors with pride, with pinstripes, and with a number "2" on his back.

jess.coleman@classactsports.com
twitter.com/nycoleman

We are now just a bit over seven days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to camp. If you had guessed that Johnny Damon would still be on the market, you would have been right on.

Before the deal for Javier Vazquez, the Yankees reportedly offered Johnny Damon two-years at $7 million per year. If you ask me, that is a lot for a 37 year old outfielder. But considering the Yanks did not re-sign Hideki Matsui, they were looking to bring back at least one of the clutch lefty bats.

It just hasn't worked out for Damon. Many teams -- including the Yankees -- are waiting out for next years market, which is much more talented than this one. Signing a 37 year old, sub-par outfielder to a multi year deal doesn't seem to be in the cards for Damon and agent Scott Boras. The team that does sign Damon will look to invest in the intangibles that he offers, such as his winning pedigree, timely hitting, and locker room presence.

The Tigers, Braves and Rays are the only teams who are left for Damon. You can bet that come mid-season, Damon will be kicking himself that he didn't take the Yankees offer. He is going to sign for less than the Yankees proposed $7 million, and it will be in a city that is not New York. A nightmare for Damon.

jess.coleman@classactsports.com

The Braves have increased their interest in Johnny Damon. Initially, the Braves offered Damon a one-year deal, and even had Chipper Jones contact him.

This reported interest could be a great thing for Damon. We all know he wanted two things when the off season started: (a) to go back to New York and (b) to get at least a two-year deal.

We already know that (a) will not happen, but the new interest in Damon puts more pressure on the Tigers, who have expressed interest in Damon as well.

Competition of teams bidding against each other is the one reason Damon might actually get a multi-year deal at this point. He already blew his chances at New York, but if either the Braves or Tigers really want Damon, they will need to compete for Damon's services, ultimately resulting in more $ for the veteran outfielder. All of a sudden, there is a shed of light for Damon.

jess.coleman@classactsports.com

New York Mets fans have been upset all off season after hearing their front office make promises to rebuild the teams starting rotation. Aside from Johan Santana, the Mets do not have a clear cut # 2 starter. Entering the season with Mike Pelfrey, John Maine, and Oliver Perez in the starting roation sure does make Mets fans uneasy.

FINALLY, there has been some good news for the Mets faithful... The Mustache is Back! Keith Hernandez will be working with young first baseman Daniel Murphy on his defensive skills molding him into a more complete first baseman.

If this is the most exciting news going into spring training, the Mets could be in serious trouble. Hopefully, some of Keith's swagger will rub off on Murphy, the same swagger that helped the 1986 Mets win a world series.

On a side note, how in the world is Hernandez not being elected into the Mets Hall of Fame in the same year as Doc Gooden and Darryl Strawberry?

Payton has a set. Peyton doesn't. Going for it on 4th down an goal from the one and a half yard line, to an onside kick, and trick plays. Head coach of the Saints, Sean Payton, let it all hang out and helped the Saints come through. Peyton Manning was unable to sustain drives and made a Favre like mistake with an interception that was returned to the house for 74 yards. That play sealed the Colts fate and Peyton Manning continues to have troubles in big games. He is now 9-9 in his playoff career, and is still inconsistent in the post season. Sure he won a championship once, but even a blind squirrel finds a nut.

The Colts got the ball back down one score and had were looking to get in the end zone down seven points. Peyton appeared to have things on track moving the ball nicely drilling Pierre Garcon for a pair of first downs. However, a crucial 3rd down, Peyton made an untimely mistake attempting to hit Garcon on the inside shoulder. Saints defensive back Tracy Porter jumped the route and picked the ball off taking it to the house putting the Saints up two touchdowns making it 31-17.

In a game where special teams are considered part of the intangibles and x-factor, the Saints young kicker is outkicking the Colts veteran kicker Matt Stover. Stover is the oldest kicker to play in the Super Bowl at 42 years of age. The Colts drive stopped short on the opposing 34 yard line, and Peyton decided to go deep rather than checking down for at least 5 yards making it a more reasonable field goal than a 51 yarder. As a result, Stover misses wide left and the Colts leave points on the board. The Saints defense is doing a great job of bending but not breaking.

Drew Brees and company take over at the 35 yard line down 17-13.  After moving the chains with a check down to Bush and a hitch to Henderson, the Saints were comfortable with the way they were moving the ball. Rookie kicker 23 years of age, Garrett Hartley, kicked another through the uprights from 40+. These days you can't take any distance for granted when it comes to kickers. But this kid seems to be the real deal under pressure on the big stage. Saints cut the lead to one point making it 17-16.

What a brilliant and gutsy playcall by Sean Payton for the Saints to go for an onside kick.  The Saints caught the Colts by surprise and recovered the kick. Drew Brees engineered a drive and capped the drive with one of the best play calls in the playbook. Playaction to the running back and a delay screen to the back. Pierre Thomas followed his blockers and ripped it off for a touchdown putting the Saints up 13-10. 

Capitals win 14th in row, beat Penguins 5-4 in OT

Jose Reyes: A Class Act

How can you not be 

excited for 

the big game on

 Sunday with two explosive offenses going head to head. Manning or Brees? Wayne or Colston? Bush or Addai? The game will come down to which teams defense wants it more and the ability to get after the quarterback. It is going to be a tough task for the Colts to get after Drew Brees without a healthy Dwight Freeney. Another issue for the Colts could be the health of Reggie Wayne who left practice early today because he re-aggravated his right knee. When all is said and done, it could be the team who has the ball last walking away with the Lombardi Trophy