Derek Jeter's grandmother has been joking that he doesn't have a job.
"Really it doesn't feel like there's anything different," the Yankees captain said Thursday about becoming a free agent for the first time. "I understand there's negotiations that are going to come and those sorts of things but, for me personally, I don't feel any different."
Jeter and his agent, Casey Close, met with General Manager Brian Cashman, managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner and team president Randy Levine Monday in Tampa, Fla. Jeter said the meeting "set the framework" for contract talks and went well.
Cashman, Jeter and fellow free agent Mariano Rivera were all together in New York Thursday night. Cashman described the negotiations with Jeter as in their "infancy stages."
"He wants us as much as we want him," Cashman said.
The GM's busy week included sitting down with free agent Cliff Lee and his wife in Little Rock, Ark., Wednesday.
"Just seemed like a great guy that's not very excitable, excellent at what he does, knows what he wants to do," Cashman said. "Wants to put his family in the best position possible. Wants to be happy. Wants to be successful. Wants to be part of a winner."
Around the majors
Marlins: Dan Uggla said Thursday he still hopes to reach an agreement on a long-term contract with Florida, even though they've broken off negotiations. The second baseman spoke about the status of those talks during a conference call Thursday after he received his first Silver Slugger Award.
"It has been the Marlins' choice to stop negotiations," he said. "My team is still wanting to negotiate. My career has been in Florida, and I want to stay in Florida."
The Marlins declined to comment. Uggla, who made $7.8 million this year, is eligible for salary arbitration before qualifying for free agency after the 2011 season. He had 33 homers, 105 RBI and a .287 average in 2010, all career highs. A .263 career hitter, Uggla has at least 27 homers and 88 RBI each of the past five seasons.
Phillies: Juan Samuel was hired as third-base coach on Thursday. Samuel, who was Baltimore's interim manager for 51 games this season, was a three-time All-Star with the Phillies in the 1980s.
Mets: Carlos Beltran, 33, said he'd consider waiving his no-trade clause if New York approaches him with a deal. The outfielder was limited to 64 games this year and 81 last season with right-knee injuries. He is owed $18.5 million in the final season of his contract.
