It sounds like Mariano Rivera and the Yankees have agreed on a new deal. Yay! Unless you were looking forward to seeing Joba Chamberlain or David Robertson close next season, this is great news.
The Daily News is reporting that Mo will sign a two-year, $30 million contract. His salary will remain the same — $15 million a year — as in his previous contract. Here are the details (emphasis added):
Rivera’s agent Fernando Cuza – who was one of the many guests at Red Sox slugger David Ortiz’s celebrity golf tournament kickoff dinner – had said the Yankees and Rivera’s camp were “a little far apart” on getting a new deal done for Rivera, and that “hopefully we’ll be able to work it out.” But within hours, a deal came together, perhaps expedited because Rivera had recently received a three-year deal and more money (believed to be in the neighborhood of $17 million per year) from another team, according to the source. The source added that Rivera wanted to maintain his ties to the only team he has ever played for, and went with less money and fewer years to continue wearing pinstripes.
“He wanted to stay loyal to the Yankees,” the source said.
Cuza would only say that he had received calls from other teams interested in Rivera’s services.
I wonder who the other team is? Could it be…the Red Sox? Yikes!
Anyhow, this report seems to go along with my theory that if both parties really want to get a deal done, it’s done. Quickly.
This also goes to show that, as expected, Mo has leverage, due to him being in demand. I’m kind of surprised that he didn’t ask for more money, given that he was offered at least $17 million a year on the open market. And the report that somebody out there would offer a 41-year-old three years is a testament to the esteem he’s held in.
Anyhow, I’m glad Mo is back. Whew!
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