<P> After Fernández batted a disappointing . 245 and appeared in only 108 games due to injuries in 1995 , newly hired Yankees manager Joe Torre asserted that Jeter would be the starting shortstop for the 1996 season , indicating that he hoped Jeter could bat . 250 and be dependable defensively . Yankees owner George Steinbrenner , often skeptical of younger players , was not convinced . Clyde King , a close Steinbrenner advisor , observed Jeter for two days in spring training in 1996 , and came away with the impression that Jeter was not yet ready . To provide depth to the team at the shortstop position after an injury to Fernández , Steinbrenner approved a trade that would have sent pitcher Mariano Rivera to the Mariners for shortstop Félix Fermín , but Michael , by then the vice president of scouting , and assistant general manager Brian Cashman convinced Steinbrenner to give Jeter an opportunity . </P>
<P> After Fernández batted a disappointing . 245 and appeared in only 108 games due to injuries in 1995 , newly hired Yankees manager Joe Torre asserted that Jeter would be the starting shortstop for the 1996 season , indicating that he hoped Jeter could bat . 250 and be dependable defensively . Yankees owner George Steinbrenner , often skeptical of younger players , was not convinced . Clyde King , a close Steinbrenner advisor , observed Jeter for two days in spring training in 1996 , and came away with the impression that Jeter was not yet ready . To provide depth to the team at the shortstop position after an injury to Fernández , Steinbrenner approved a trade that would have sent pitcher Mariano Rivera to the Mariners for shortstop Félix Fermín , but Michael , by then the vice president of scouting , and assistant general manager Brian Cashman convinced Steinbrenner to give Jeter an opportunity . </P>
who played shortstop before derek jeter for the yankees
who played shortstop before derek jeter for the yankees
Fernández
Fernández