Mariano Rivera Rumors

Yankees Rumors: Teixeira, Igawa, Sabathia

The Yankees chatter died down a bit today, but here's what we've got. Joel Sherman of the New York Post notes buzz about Robinson Cano going to the Dodgers amid Yankee interest in Russell Martin and Matt Kemp. He admits it's unlikely. Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News talked to one big league exec about whether Mark Teixeira could handle the pressures of New York. Brian Cashman says nobody has asked him about Kei Igawa, who has three years and $12MM left on his contract. Cashman would not rule out the possibility of bringing back both Mike Mussina...   Continue Reading

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Papelbon Gets $775K

Outspoken Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon signed a one-year deal for $775K for '08. That's significantly more than the Sox had to give him, so it seems they value his happiness. His new salary beats Mariano Rivera's two-year service time closer record of $750K. Papelbon's salary will increase drastically a year from now, as he'll be arbitration-eligible for the first time. He probably won't get the $10MM Ryan Howard did, but something north of $5MM seems possible.   Continue Reading

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K-Rod Looking For Rivera Money?

On Saturday, we discussed the Francisco Rodriguez situation. He's been historically good for a closer his age, and his next contract could be record-breaking. That contract doesn't seem likely to come from the Angels. K-Rod has arrived in camp, and he admits that '08 is probably his last season with L.A. Mike DiGiovanna speaks of repeated rejected extension attempts by the Angels. After the '07 season, the Angels offered something near three years and $34MM. Rodriguez unsurprisingly turned this down, as it's $11MM short of the Mariano Rivera money he craves. GM Tony Reagins is thinking about a future that...   Continue Reading

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Mariano Rivera Confusion?

Here is a December 17th press release from the Yankees announcing Mariano Rivera's three-year deal. Here is a New York Daily News article from early this morning indicating that Rivera has yet to sign on the dotted line. There is a lot of dated information in the Daily News article, so it seems as if they simply accidentally posted an old story, nothing more. Threw me for a loop, though   Continue Reading

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Rivera Agrees To Deal With Yanks

UPDATE: Kat O'Brien's sources also indicate that Rivera has accepted the offer. We can close the book on this one. Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record has the scoop: Mariano Rivera has agreed to the Yankees three-year, $45 million offer. Caldera's source is a friend who spoke to Rivera today, so I suppose it's not official official. Caldera also reports that the friend said, "He would have taken two years and an option." Wonderful. So not only did the Yankees overpay, but now it's rubbed in their faces. This will surely somehow factor into the deal for Francisco Cordero, now...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Fukumori, Rivera, Haerther, Walker

Some small notes from various sources: According to the North County Times, the Padres brought in Japanese righty reliever Kazuo Fukumori for a workout at Petco last week. The Padres haven't yet been mentioned as suitors for Fukumori. The Rockies, Royals, Rays, and Red Sox have previously been linked to the free agent. New York Daily News writers Bill Madden and Anthony McCarron spoke to sources close to Mariano Rivera, who reveal that the 38-year-old closer could accept the Yankees current offer of three years, $45 million as soon as this weekend. Rivera was seeking a fourth year guaranteed, citing..   Continue Reading

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Rivera Wants Four Years

Why is that three-year, $45MM offer to Mariano Rivera from the Yankees still on the table? According to Ken Rosenthal, it's because Rivera wants four guaranteed years. He's looking at the contracts of Jorge Posada, Billy Wagner, and even Alex Rodriguez in demanding to be paid through his age 41 season. As I said before, I think it's time for the Yankees to go to Plan B. Rosenthal says the Yanks are still the favorite for Rivera, despite his quote about playing for the Dodgers. Rivera has apparently told his agents to shop him around, as he's annoyed by Hank..   Continue Reading

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Yankees Offer To Rivera: 3/45

UPDATE: Hank Steinbrenner confirms the offer as 3/45. Not sure what Rivera is waiting for...no need to haggle over a no-trade clause since Rivera would be a 10 and 5 player. According to Tyler Kepner of the New York Times, the Yankees have a very aggressive offer on the table for closer Mariano Rivera: three years, $45MM. $15MM a year for a closer! It's unheard of. Billy Wagner makes $10.5MM annually, but he signed two years ago. Rivera's next deal could inflate Francisco Cordero's contract. If Rivera pushes for a higher average annual salary or a fourth year, I think..   Continue Reading

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Yankees Sign Posada - 4 Years, $52.4MM

Mark Feinsand has the scoop: the Yankees beat the buzzer and signed Jorge Posada to a four-year, $52MM contract. Omar Minaya was ready to pounce, but Brian Cashman got it done. Posada jumps above Ivan Rodriguez as the game's highest-paid catcher. The Yankees probably could've signed Posada for three years, $30MM back in February. His huge season cost them big-time, though it's still slightly less than I expected. Feinsand also says re-signing Mariano Rivera is something that should happen this week   Continue Reading

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Rivera, Posada, Lowell To Hit Open Market?

Brian Cashman was unable to reach an agreement with either of his big-name free agents tonight. Both Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada will hit the open market despite receiving improved offers from the Yankees. Rivera hinted that he could follow Joe Torre to the Dodgers. That seems an unlikely way for the Dodgers to spend $40MM+. Honestly I thought the Yankees would extend themselves to get both deals done by midnight tonight. I'm surprised to see this pair hit the open market, where any team is liable to overpay. Peter Abraham speculates that Posada might require four years, $56MM, because..   Continue Reading

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Abraham: Posada Will Stay In New York

UPDATE: A colleague of Abraham's snagged some quotes from Posada tonight, and they do sound favorable for the Yankees. Posada said, "we're really close." Peter Abraham of the Journal News gives his take on the Yankees' situations with Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada. He says the Yankees have offers out to both players, and negotiation is ongoing. Abraham seems certain that Rivera will remain a Yankee, noting that other teams probably feel the same since other suitors have not surfaced. Posada, on the other hand, has the Mets, Blue Jays, and Marlins lining up. Abraham contends that Posada's family situation..   Continue Reading

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Heyman's Latest: Cabrera, Blalock, Bonds

Rumor-man Jon Heyman has some good info from the GM meetings. Miguel Cabrera is officially available, as the Marlins have made calls to selected teams describing what they'd want in return. The main contenders for Cabrera are the Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers, Giants, and Angels. Also, Paul Hoynes suggested this morning that the Indians could be in the mix. You know the drill - it takes 2-3 top flight prospects, at least one of them a blue chip pitcher. Heyman even says Cabrera could be combined with Dontrelle Willis to create the mother of all blockbusters. This package will exceed..   Continue Reading

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Yankees Aiming Higher Than Crede

According to Ken Davidoff of Newsday, the Yankees aren't likely to trade for Joe Crede. They're aiming for bigger fish like Mike Lowell, Adrian Beltre, Miguel Cabrera, and Scott Rolen. Garrett Atkins has been deemed unavailable. Additionally, Kenny Williams hopes to deal Crede relatively quickly and the Yankees are in no rush to fill their third base vacancy. Maybe the Phillies will jump into the fray for Crede. Lowell at least won't involve giving up young talent. But there are some questions about how he'd hit away from Fenway. And we're talking four or even five years to lure him...   Continue Reading

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Yankees Meet With Rivera

Mark Feinsand has the scoop: Mariano Rivera, his agent, and Brian Cashman have convened at Legends Field in Tampa. Feinsand says a three-year, $40MM offer is expected. Most folks assume there's no chance the Yanks let Mo walk after A-Rod's departure. $13.3MM annually would make Rivera the game's highest-paid closer. He was already tied for that honor this year with Billy Wagner at $10.5MM   Continue Reading

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Rivera Not Affected By Torre Departure?

Mariano Rivera has changed his tune - now he's saying Joe Torre's departure doesn't have anything to do with his chances of re-signing with the Yankees. That's cool - most of us can't picture him in a Phillies uniform anyway. Several days ago, Rivera apparently said the Yankees were "one of 30 teams" once Torre left. I amended that to "one of 29 teams," assuming Rivera sticks with his statement about the Red Sox   Continue Reading

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Tigers Hot Stove Talk

Lynn Henning of the Detroit News runs down all of the big names rumored to be possibilities for the Tigers this winter and assesses the likelihood of each. It's a well-written article so be sure to read it. Here are the players, ranked by the percent chance of playing for Detroit next year: Kenny Rogers - 90% Todd Jones - 80% Geoff Jenkins - 75% Edgar Renteria - 50% Jack Wilson - 30% Francisco Cordero - 5% Alex Rodriguez - 3% Mariano Rivera - 3% Raul Ibanez - 0.5% Torii Hunter - 0% Andruw Jones - 0% Henning believes Jenkins..   Continue Reading

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Sunday A-Rod Recap

I hate to post about the same guy twice in a row, but there's been a flurry of Alex Rodriguez speculation on this fine October Sunday. To break it down, here's a brief recap: The New York Post reports the Yankees are expected to make an offer to prevent A-Rod from free agency. However, the offer will approach neither $300MM nor 12 years. I think this is both expected and a smart move by the Yanks because... Nick Cafardo likens Scott Boras' approach toward marketing A-Rod's "Iconic Value" to the exaggeratory strategy he took with Daisuke Matsuzaka. And Johnny Damon,..   Continue Reading

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Yanks To Pursue Rowand?

A source of mine with Yankee connections had some good info for me today. Much was discussed yesterday in Tampa. For starters, the Yanks are expected to make "eye-popping" offers to retain Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera before the World Series ends. The team does not want the pair to file for free agency. Additionally, the Yankees may make a big play for Aaron Rowand. They believe a package of Melky Cabrera, Chien-Ming Wang, and Ian Kennedy would entice the Twins for Johan Santana. That's a huge price, but doesn't seem out of line to me for the best pitcher..   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: A-Rod, Posada, Cardinals

A few articles that caught my eye this morning... Scott Boras seemingly scoffs at the idea of Alex Rodriguez being forced by the Yankees to sign in November. Reggie Jackson, a special adviser to the Yankees, thinks Rodriguez will top $300MM if he leaves. Jackson takes a subtle shot at A-Rod for his lack of postseason heroics. Rodriguez's .279/.361/.483 career postseason line pales in comparison to Reggie's .278/.354/.527. Wait, no it doesn't. Barry Rozner thinks Jerry Reinsdorf could arrange for two blockbusters for his teams, netting Alex Rodriguez for the White Sox and Kobe Bryant for the Bulls. Rozner thinks..   Continue Reading

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Mariano Rivera To Test The Market

As you know, Joe Torre's rejection of the Yankees' weak offer may influence the thinking of Mariano Rivera. The Journal News' Peter Abraham has more on that angle: Just spoke to somebody I know who is tight with Mariano Rivera. He said that Mo is more determined than ever to test the market after the developments of today. Mo’s comment: “The Yankees are one of 30 teams now.” Hank Steinbrenner has insisted Joba Chamberlain spend 2008 as a starter, heightening the Yankees' need to make the best offer to Rivera. Ultimately I think they will. The guess from Jon Heyman..   Continue Reading

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Cashman Takes Firm Stance On A-Rod

When we last heard from him eight days ago, Brian Cashman left himself some wiggle room to negotiate with Alex Rodriguez even if he opts out in November and the Yankees lose the Texas money. The implication then was that higher-ranking club officials could overrule Cashman's recommendation. Yesterday, after the Yankees' meeting of the minds in Tampa, Cashman took a firmer stance: If Alex Rodriguez opts out of his contract then we will not participate in free agency. That is accurate and that is definitive. Why this is being aired out in public I'm not sure, but at this point..   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: A-Rod, Boras, Pettitte

Early Monday morning reading material... Interesting article in the New York Daily News regarding Scott Boras and Alex Rodriguez. Boras insists that many of his clients have not taken the largest deal offered to them, giving examples. The article also touches upon recent Boras clients connected to performance-enhancing drugs (Rick Ankiel and Scott Schoeneweis). Boras' agency is known for its obsessive attention to detail for all of its clients, and seeing a few of them busted raises some questions. Last winter, we discussed the possibility of Hiroki Kuroda coming over from Japan. Well, he's a free agent again, and Nick...   Continue Reading

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Latest Phillies Rumors: Lowell, Rivera, Schilling

Let's catch up on the rumors and minor moves involving the Phillies recently. One offseason objective is, of course, third base. Abraham Nunez was an easy buyout decision; Pat Gillick will import a new third baseman this winter one way or another. Phils fans can stop dreaming up A-Rod scenarios; Gillick won't pursue him. Mike Lowell is the one free agent 3B on the Phils' radar. While Lowell wouldn't mind playing in Philly, he made it clear yesterday that Boston remains his first choice. So there's a good chance Gillick will have to get his man via trade. Scott Lauber..   Continue Reading

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Torre's Status Will Influence Rivera

Mariano Rivera isn't a sure thing to return to the Yankees in 2008. He's not happy about Joe Torre's unknown status, and he doesn't seem thrilled that the Yanks passed on their opportunity to re-sign him earlier this year. Jon Heyman's best guess yesterday: the Yanks re-sign Rivera for two years and $26MM, plus an option year for 2010. That seems fairly reasonable to me; it's still hard to picture a closer earning more than $13MM. But Rivera may listen to offers, and it wouldn't be a shock to see a team offer him three years guaranteed. One stopper who..   Continue Reading

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Joba The Starter?

It's been a slow Saturday in the rumor mill so as it grinds down, I thought I'd see where everyone would put Joba Chamberlain next season if you were the Yankees. Experts and statisticians feel that Joba must be in the rotation because 180 innings of Joba next year is more valuable than around 60. Frank Neville for The Sporting News thinks "health permitting, [Joba] can be a 20-game winner and rack up 200-plus strikeouts a year." Now wait, where have we heard that argument before? Ah yes, with Jonathan Papelbon. Papelbon has become the most dominant closer in the..   Continue Reading

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No Boston For Mariano Rivera In '08

Mariano Rivera, asked whether he could cross enemy lines and join the Red Sox as a free agent in 2008, said, "I don't think I could do it." So we can almost officially cross Boston off the list. Which other clubs might be ready to woo him after this season? I think the Giants, Rangers, Cubs, and Phillies should be top contenders. Those are the teams I can see having the need and willingness for an $11-12MM a year closer. Of course, the Yankees have to be considered the favorite   Continue Reading

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What If Rivera Just Retires After '07?

A reader recently brought an interesting New York Times article to my attention. Jack Curry's article from December 10th, 1999 discusses Mariano Rivera's devotion to God. Some interesting quotes: Curry: "Finally, after he half-sobbed and half-spoke for 20 minutes, Rivera, who is 30, told the congregation that he would play baseball for four more years before retiring to become an evangelical minister or preacher." Rivera: "I would love to play as long as I can, but I think if I play four, five, or six more years, that's enough and then I'll stop. Maybe it's one year. Maybe it's two...   Continue Reading

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What If Rivera Just Retires After '07?

A reader recently brought an interesting New York Times article to my attention. Jack Curry's article from December 10th, 1999 discusses Mariano Rivera's devotion to God. Some interesting quotes: Curry: "Finally, after he half-sobbed and half-spoke for 20 minutes, Rivera, who is 30, told the congregation that he would play baseball for four more years before retiring to become an evangelical minister or preacher." Rivera: "I would love to play as long as I can, but I think if I play four, five, or six more years, that's enough and then I'll stop. Maybe it's one year. Maybe it's two...   Continue Reading

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Yankees Won't Have Advantage For Rivera

New York papers put out at least seven articles concerning Mariano Rivera today, even though almost nothing new was said. I took the liberty of summing it up for you: Rivera on free agency: "Everybody has the same shot. The Yankees will not have an advantage. Everyone will have the same shot." Jeter on Rivera leaving: "Mo ain't going anywhere. Mo will be right here next year. ... I'm sure he'd like an extension. I'd love for him to have an extension, too. I'm sure they'll work it out." Not much new here. But it's spring training and these guys..   Continue Reading

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Yankees Won't Have Advantage For Rivera

New York papers put out at least seven articles concerning Mariano Rivera today, even though almost nothing new was said. I took the liberty of summing it up for you: Rivera on free agency: "Everybody has the same shot. The Yankees will not have an advantage. Everyone will have the same shot." Jeter on Rivera leaving: "Mo ain't going anywhere. Mo will be right here next year. ... I'm sure he'd like an extension. I'd love for him to have an extension, too. I'm sure they'll work it out." Not much new here. But it's spring training and these guys..   Continue Reading

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Would Mariano Rivera Move On?

It wasn't much of a story six days ago, stuck at the bottom of a Bergen Record article from Pete Caldera. The New York press was much more interested in Alex Rodriguez's book signing. But yesterday Mariano Rivera gave eager reporters some scary quotes and the story resulted in six different newspaper articles. The key quote from the impending free agent: "I definitely want to finish my career here, but if they don't give me the respect that I deserve...I'm not going to stay at my house crying. I have to move on." That led various NY papers to create..   Continue Reading

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Would Mariano Rivera Move On?

It wasn't much of a story six days ago, stuck at the bottom of a Bergen Record article from Pete Caldera. The New York press was much more interested in Alex Rodriguez's book signing. But yesterday Mariano Rivera gave eager reporters some scary quotes and the story resulted in six different newspaper articles. The key quote from the impending free agent: "I definitely want to finish my career here, but if they don't give me the respect that I deserve...I'm not going to stay at my house crying. I have to move on." That led various NY papers to create..   Continue Reading

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Yanks Not Working On Rivera Extension

According to Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record, the Yankees aren't seeking to enter contract extension discussions with Mariano Rivera's agent during spring training. Rivera will be a free agent after 2007. Rivera is 37. PECOTA says Rivera is worth about $23 million over the 2008-2010 seasons. He'll make $10.5MM in 2007. Something tells me he'll do a wee bit better than Jason Marquis, however. The free agent market after '07 doesn't offer anyone better, as Joe Nathan and Trevor Hoffman are likely to have their options exercised. Eric Gagne could be an option if he comes back strong this..   Continue Reading

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Yanks Not Working On Rivera Extension

According to Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record, the Yankees aren't seeking to enter contract extension discussions with Mariano Rivera's agent during spring training. Rivera will be a free agent after 2007. Rivera is 37. PECOTA says Rivera is worth about $23 million over the 2008-2010 seasons. He'll make $10.5MM in 2007. Something tells me he'll do a wee bit better than Jason Marquis, however. The free agent market after '07 doesn't offer anyone better, as Joe Nathan and Trevor Hoffman are likely to have their options exercised. Eric Gagne could be an option if he comes back strong this..   Continue Reading

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