I think, given the options of publicly dressing him down or defending his actions, that he has to defend him. Considering Cashman's dick negotiating ploy with Jeter, I'm not sure why Yankee brass is a bit surprised. As an athlete(with whatever limited skills I have/had), I've never wanted anyone on the field who didn't want to be there. I always preferred to have the crappy guy with two left feet on the field who wanted to be in the game over the guy who secretly hoped to lose so he could go home before his wife got really ******. If nothing else, I knew which guy would do his best. I can't imagine that changes at the professional level.