The New York Times reports the Yankees are negotiating with Mariano Rivera in an attempt to bring the free agent closer back to the Bronx to finish his career.
Two days after Alex Rodriguez told the Yankees he was opting out of his contract without returning ownership’s calls, another star Yankee showed up at the team offices in Tampa, Fla. It was Mariano Rivera, the free-agent closer, and the sides want to make a deal.
“I think it’s important, when a player is making a decision like this, that they be involved in it personally,” said Rivera’s agent, Fern Cuza. “This is going to be his last contract, and it’s important for him to know the direction of the organization.”
A-Rod’s departure makes resigning Mo even more critical. The Yankees now need to improve their team in other areas to compensate for the production lost at third base. This team needs to fortify its bullpen. That would free Joba Chamberlain to join the rotation, bolstering the club’s starting pitching and lessening the blow of losing a great player. New York will need to do more than just sign Rivera to make a Joba-free bullpen reliable, but it is probably impossible to do so without taking this critical first step.
