Yankees Rumors

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 have deadlines.  I apologize for adding any fuel to the fire; I’m going to compensate with some Royals material today or tomorrow.  This website is the last place you’re going to find an East Coast bias, but New York churns out more rumors and articles than anywhere.  My two cents: Jeter is right, he’s not going anywhere.

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 the possibility that Mo could jump over to the Red Sox in 2008.  Mass pandemonium.  But as many of the articles stated, the Yankees have leverage here and baseball is a business.  Rivera likely wants to stay, but he needs to prove himself for the first time.  The Bernie Williams situation is not exactly a parallel, since Rivera has retained his skills well.  But it’s clear that the Yankees won’t make decisions based on nostalgia.

Brian Cashman and Co. will wait to see if Rivera’s elbow holds up this season.  If they can get him for two years and $24MM after that, as Ken Davidoff suggests, he’ll finish his career as a Yankee.  If he gets injured this year or demands a three-year deal, there’s a good chance the team turns to its numerous internal options.

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 the possibility that Mo could jump over to the Red Sox in 2008.  Mass pandemonium.  But as many of the articles stated, the Yankees have leverage here and baseball is a business.  Rivera likely wants to stay, but he needs to prove himself for the first time.  The Bernie Williams situation is not exactly a parallel, since Rivera has retained his skills well.  But it’s clear that the Yankees won’t make decisions based on nostalgia.

Brian Cashman and Co. will wait to see if Rivera’s elbow holds up this season.  If they can get him for two years and $24MM after that, as Ken Davidoff suggests, he’ll finish his career as a Yankee.  If he gets injured this year or demands a three-year deal, there’s a good chance the team turns to its numerous internal options.

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 year.

K-Rod will be a free agent after 2008, unless the Angels give him an extension.  It was supposedly a top priority this offseason; the Yankees may be eyeing him up as Rivera’s heir.

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 year.

K-Rod will be a free agent after 2008, unless the Angels give him an extension.  It was supposedly a top priority this offseason; the Yankees may be eyeing him up as Rivera’s heir.