Toronto Blue Jays

Cashman reportedly told Jeter he preferred Tulowitzki in 2010

Published Aug. 20, 2015 2:07 p.m. ET

foxsports

Derek Jeter's place in Yankees lore is well established among fans of the Pinstripes. But during contract negotiations with the Yanks in 2010, he reportedly received a brutally honest opinion from general manager Brian Cashman.

According to Ryan Hatch of NJ.com, a profile piece in Sports Illustrated revealed that Cashman told Jeter then that he would prefer Troy Tulowitzki over the aging star.

According to the piece, Cashman said during Jeter's contract talks: "We're not paying extra money for popularity. We're paying for performance."

In 2010, a 36-year-old Jeter hit .270 with 10 homers and 67 RBI in 157 games while Tulowitzki, 10 years Jeter's junior, hit .315 with 27 homers and 95 RBI in 122 games with the Colorado Rockies.

"For certain players and people, it's too much candor," Jeter's agent Casey Close told SI about Cashman. "He feels the easiest way to deal with something is to punch it right between the eyes. For some that's the right mode. For players who need a softer approach, it's like, 'Wow, that guy just hit me between the eyes.'"

The two sides eventually agreed to a three-year deal worth $51 million.

Of course, Jeter helped the Yankees win five championships and finished his career with 3,465 hits and 14 All-Star appearances. Tulowitzki was dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays in July and is one of the better hitting shortstops when healthy.