 |
|
|
| |
« Odds & Ends: Matsui, Belcher, Cuddyer, Griffey | Main | Jack Wilson, Mariners Discussing Extension »
Five More Years For Mariano Rivera?
Mariano Rivera told today's crowd he wants to play for five more years, according to the New York Times' Jack Curry. Rivera explained:
"I'm serious. I hope the organization does whatever it takes to bring me back. I know I have another year under my contract, and then whatever happens happens."
Of course, as Curry notes, "A few months before the 2000 season, Rivera shocked the Yankees by saying he wanted to pitch four more years, then retire to become an evangelical minister."
Rivera, 40 later this month, added to his legend in 2009 with 44 regular season and five postseason saves. It's difficult to justify $15MM a year for a reliever, but if anyone's worth it, it's Rivera.
Comments
Verify your Comment
Previewing your Comment
This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.
As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.
Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.
Top Stories
Search MLBTR
MLBTR Features
Recent Posts
Rumors By Team
Monthly Archives
Live Chats
Tuesdays at 2 p.m. CST
If anyone can do it it's him
Posted by: Deanezag | November 06, 2009 at 02:52 PM
The guy is so freaking amazing. Arguably the most important Yankee over the past 20 years.
Posted by: bjsguess | November 06, 2009 at 02:55 PM
if he wants to pitch 5 more years he can do it
If he wants to finish his career with the Yankees, idk if thats possible
Posted by: SouvenirCityBaby | November 06, 2009 at 02:55 PM
I am not a Yankee fan by any means. But I LOVE Mariano. He deserves it.
Posted by: QueensKing | November 06, 2009 at 02:57 PM
I loathe the Yankess, but I do respect the heck out of Rivera and admire what he has done. Its incredibly hard to stay so consistant in relief and he has done it for decades.
Posted by: bbxxj | November 06, 2009 at 03:02 PM
Hey if anybody can do it, it's Mo. I really think throwing that cutter and ONLY throwing that cutter is the reason why he has lasted so long. If he threw curveballs and sliders his whole career, I don't think he'd be able to have lasted this long.
At age 39, he's as good as ever. I think he's got at least 3 more great seasons in him.
Posted by: Agent | November 06, 2009 at 03:05 PM
5 years is 2 too many.
Posted by: 2HeadedBoy | November 06, 2009 at 03:17 PM
I think Rivera is waiting for Hoffman to retire so he can break the saves record...
Posted by: strikethree | November 06, 2009 at 03:21 PM
I'm no Yankees fan, but as a fellow Christian, I can't help but to love this guy. Such professionalism, combined with consistency, and dominance in the closer position. Not to mention his humble attitude and competitive spirit. Easily my favorite player on the Yankees.
Posted by: ABisNYC | November 06, 2009 at 03:24 PM
"If he wants to finish his career with the Yankees, idk if thats possible"
Why not? Even when he eventually starts to decline, he's still going to be better than many other options. If he's still getting the job done they're not going to kick him out.
Posted by: Deanezag | November 06, 2009 at 03:49 PM
If Mariano Rivera signed with another club, time would freeze and the universe would melt. I would hope he wouldn't do that. It'd tarnish his legacy. They won't get rid of him, though. Look at everything he did with those 5 and 6 out saves. He's gonna be here for a while.
Posted by: BomberMan26 | November 06, 2009 at 03:56 PM
Curious - what does being a Christian have to do with liking Rivera?
Posted by: bjsguess | November 06, 2009 at 03:57 PM
bjsguess: I'm not an "overly" religous guy but even I admire his spirituality and can tell he's at peace with himself. I think that helps him, especially in difficult moments where he may not deliver. He's just a really, really good guy.
That being said, I think 5 years is a lot of mileage on Mo. However, I
Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | November 06, 2009 at 04:07 PM
......think that he deserves to leave on his own time. Maybe the Yanks can start with 2 years and a "Wakefield" sweet heart muli-option deal? WE should look to bring in a guy like Mike Gonzales to take some of the load off of MO and be the 8th inning guy as well.
Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | November 06, 2009 at 04:10 PM
soxsider... would you mind telling me just how he only was good and no longer is?
Last I checked.. he's a lot better than Papelbon.
Posted by: Colton | November 06, 2009 at 04:57 PM
If any Yankee deserves to keep playing as long as they are able to do so, it's Jeter and Rivera. If Mo is still able to rack up the saves while shattering bats and keeping the ERA low, why not? The man is simply amazing and if you can, read up on his recent SI article. Extremely humble man. I can speak that I personally saw him speak with a fan in the bleachers during warmups for AT LEAST 3-4 minutes, all while signing autographs. And no, this wasn't some hot woman...just a plain jane lady in Yankee gear.
His mind might be willing but his body may betray him sooner or later. But then again, people have been waiting for him to show signs of wear and all he's done is continue to dominate and post up sub 2.00 ERA years.
Posted by: InvalidUserID | November 06, 2009 at 06:16 PM
Even as an avid Boston fan, I've always loved Mo. He's a true professional, a good sport, a class act, and he's still the premier closer in the AL. I could easily see him pitching at his current effectiveness for another 3 years minimum. Whether or not he can go 5 more would definitely depend on if/how much his velocity decreases, but even if suffered a decline, he would still be an extremely intelligent pitcher with the best cutter ever who knows how to work the strike zone. Any Sox fan who speaks ill of Mo is simply speaking out of bias.
Posted by: GP | November 06, 2009 at 06:25 PM
Rivera is amazing. What he continues to do is unlike anything baseball has ever seen. A first ballot HOFer, if he wants to pitch in the Bronx for 5 more years, he will. He had proven he can still compete with results. Simply amazing!
Posted by: Maddoniz | November 06, 2009 at 06:28 PM
omg_ over-rated!!! let the yankees sign him for more years so they can see him fall off. he was good.
Posted by: soxsider4life | November 06, 2009 at 03:36 PM
-----
Over-rated? Let's compare 2009 Rivera vs. 2009 Papelbon, shall we?
ERA:
Rivera - 1.79
Papelbon - 1.85
ADVANTAGE - RIVERA
ERA+:
Rivera - 253
Papelbon - 255
ADVANTAGE - RIVERA
WHIP:
Rivera - .905
Papelbon - 1.147
ADVANTAGE - RIVERA
H/9:
Rivera - 6.5
Papelbon - 7.1
ADVANTAGE - RIVERA
HR/9:
Rivera - 0.9
Papelbon - 0.7
ADVANTAGE - PAPELBON (finally)
BB/9:
Rivera - 1.6
Papelbon - 3.2
ADVANTAGE - RIVERA
K/9
Rivera - 9.8
Papelbon - 10.1
ACCOLADES
Rivera - 500+ saves, 5 WS rings, 10 time all-star, 5 time Cy-Young candidate, 39 post-season saves, 0.74 post-season ERA.
Papelbon - 2 WS rings, 4 time all-star, 7 post-season saves, 1.00 post-season ERA.
In closing, look at the numbers and not off your bias toward Papelbon. Rivera is a HOF LOCK. Papelbon has been very good but he has a long way to go before even being mentioned in the same breath as Rivera.
Posted by: InvalidUserID | November 06, 2009 at 06:34 PM
WHOOPS
----
K/9
Rivera - 9.8
Papelbon - 10.1
ADVANTAGE - PAPELBON
Posted by: InvalidUserID | November 06, 2009 at 06:36 PM
not a yankee fan but i do respect jeter pettite and rivera i cant stand posada though as a baseball fan in general you got to respect what rivera has done there wont be another who knows the future though my brother met him last year hes a boston fan to like me who else is ready for the offseason some pretty good trades so far im sure holliday is most likely a met or somewhere in the NL thats where he had the most success i read yesterday he has a close relationship with the red sox pitching coach john farrell who knows for sure
Posted by: Rays Fan 33 | November 06, 2009 at 09:42 PM
Hahaha he definitely wants Hoff's record but who can blame him, he is an amazing competitor and an even better pitcher. One of the few yankees I like and i'm sure the yankees would love to keep him but I doubt they wanna pay him 15 mil. Honestly if I were him I would take a massive pay cut (about 10 mil) and play with them til his arm falls off. Sad to say I dont think he will get Hoff's record cuz IMO they will both only last another year or two. Those 35+ pitch saves in the WS just showed that even though he still gets it done, he doesnt do it as well as he use to.
Posted by: TheCrewOfBrew | November 06, 2009 at 11:57 PM
Mo has 1 more year left on his contract. If he has another year like he had this past season... I see the Yankees giving him a nice 2-year deal at around $15 million per year, with a couple mutual option years after. Telling him to take a pay cut (after all he has done) is an insult.
I don't think we're ever going to see another Mariano Rivera. If he can prove to pitch effectively even after hitting the big 40... I would love to see him in pinstripes for the next 3+ years.
Posted by: Agent | November 07, 2009 at 12:21 AM
Rivera has accomplished more than any other pitcher starter or reliever in the history of post season play and of course his seasonal work adds up to a work of art.
The one thing I've noticed is his velocity is down to around 90 mph if it drops off anymore then the cutter isn't going to have the biting action it has had for 14 yrs .
So I'm cautiously optimistic for the 2010 season after that we'll see how diminished his "stuff" is.
Posted by: ToBe | November 07, 2009 at 01:59 AM
Hey Colton and InvalidUserID...you realize that SoxSider is a White Sox fan, right? I doubt he gives two cents about Papelbon.
Posted by: YankeesWSChamps09 | November 08, 2009 at 08:05 PM