Yanks Send Jeter Down, Acquire Fermin for Rivera.

April 1, 1996:  The New York Yankees announced today that their "shortstop of the future," Derek Jeter, would be headed back down to the Columbus Clippers.  To keep the spot warm for him, meanwhile, the Yanks acquired shortstop Felix Fermin from the Seattle Mariners, in exchange for pitcher Mariano Rivera.

Originally, Jeter was supposed to back-up veteran star Tony Fernandez at short, but opportunity beckoned when Fernandez broke his elbow in spring training.  But Jeter's performance in Florida convinced at least some of the Yankees' brainstrust that he was not ready to start in the major leagues.

"I'm sure he'll be a fine player," Yankees front office fixture Clyde King acknowledged, "but we just can't win with him right now."

The rest of the Yankees' organization, led by Gene Michael, Bob Watson, and new manager Joe Torre were reportedly adamant against demoting Jeter, but George Steinbrenner said that he had made the final call.

"My baseball people were divided, so I had to step up and make the big decision.  That's what leaders do," Steinbrenner told the press.

"I did have a terrible spring," a dejected but still determined Jeter said.  "I'll just have to do better, and earn my way back to New York."

Fermin, 32, batted just .195 last year for the Mariners, and has hit only 4 home runs in his 9 years in the majors, but he was batting a career-high .317 when the lockout shut down the 1994 season.  He is considered a good if not great glove, and all the Yankees want him to do is to give them a credible shortstop until Jeter is ready to take his place.

Mariano Rivera had impressed the Mariners during his three, scoreless appearances against them in last year's ALDS, but he remains a young, unproven pitcher, while the Yanks still have John Wetteland as their closer.

Rivera said he was disappointed to be leaving New York, but was sure that it was all God's will.

(ALMOST...a true story!)