Do the Yankees really epitomize class?

The Yankees are supposed to be the classiest organization in sports, right? Afterall, their long-time owner George Steinbrenner looks as if he fits in better at a country club, with his Brooks Brother blazer and mock turtleneck, than at a baseball stadium.  Then how come the franchise that built the "Cathedral in the Bronx" can't afford to pay their best best franchise player since Mickey Mantle?

Hal Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman cannot realistically expect Derek Jeter, a 5x world champion, to accept $15 million per year, when the guy playing to his right is making twice that much money and only has one world championship next to his name.

Going into the offseason, many of the talking heads floated the idea that the Yankees would sign Jeter to some  "lifetime" contract comprised of future guest and marketing appearances.  Not only does this prediction seem ridiculous now, but it also looks like the Yankees are going out of their way to repel Jeter from wearing pinstripes in 2011.  Why else would Cashman suggest that he test the market to determine his baseball worth?

Well, does Cashman think that the Yankee brand can retain its affiliation to class without its classiest player?  Jeter makes you forget about A-fraud and his passion for strip clubs, or the Rocket and his ties to the steroid era.  The Yankees might be the most recognized brand in sports, but their image would take a hit, at least in the short term, if they actually allow Jeter to walk.  And if Jeter were to walk, it will not tarnish his career as many would think.  Jeter might actually feel wanted by an organization, like Andy Pettitte felt when he joined the Astros in 2004.  The Yankees let him walk because they underestimated his worth.  Hopefully, they do not make the same mistake with Jeter.