Derek Jeter hits 250th career home run

Derek Jeter’s liner to left field in the fifth inning Friday off Franklin Morales was his 250th career home run. He moved into fifth place all-time among players who have played at least half of their games at shortstop:

1. Alex Rodriguez – 644
2. Cal Ripken Jr. – 431
3. Miguel Tejada – 304
4. Robin Yount – 251
5. Derek Jeter – 250
6. Jose Valentin – 249
7. Vern Stephens – 247
8. Nomar Garciaparra – 229
9. Barry Larkin – 198
10. Jay Bell – 195

Jeter will likely finish his career third on the that list, considering that A-Rod’s tenure at third base is set to overtake his time at shortstop next year.

Jeter also moved into a tie for ninth place on the Yankees’ all-time home run list:

1. Babe Ruth – 659
2. Mickey Mantle – 536
3. Lou Gehrig – 493
4. Joe DiMaggio – 361
5. Yogi Berra – 358
6. Alex Rodriguez – 299
7. Bernie Williams – 287
8. Jorge Posada – 275
9. Derek Jeter – 250
9. Graig Nettles – 250

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports that Major League Baseball has banned all transactions with Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB), popularly known as the Mexican League. As of now, all 30 teams are prohibited from signing players under contract with LMB teams. The ban was issued due to Major League Baseball’s contention that “corruption” and “fraud” run rampant in the player acquisition process.

Passan describes the issues in detail, and they sound pretty compelling. The upshot: LMB clubs — which have full control over their players — are taking advantage of them, taking most if not all of the signing bonuses MLB teams give them after negotiating for their rights. Mexican teams often sign players when they’re 15 years-old so that, once they are old enough for American teams to approach them, they’re in the position to take a usurious cut.

Passan says Major League Baseball is demanding greater transparency from LMB before it’s willing to lift the ban. He also says that the MLBPA is in “lockstep” with Major League Baseball on the matter, which makes sense given that, if MLB’s claims are accurate, players are being exploited here. He also says that if LMB does not change its ways, there is a “Plan B,” though it’s not clear what that is.

There aren’t a ton of Mexican players signed by MLB teams each year, but there are enough to make this a significant issue that is worth watching.

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