Post#23 » by Slamm Goodbody » Thu Nov 15, 2007 9:24 pm
What we're seeing with Mo right now is the manifestation of several perceived slights towards him and his teammates by management over the years.
First there was his last contract that he and his agent negotiated. At the time, he made it crystal clear that he wanted to return to and retire with the organization - big mistake. He threw away all his leverage and we signed him to a relatively bargain deal, especially considering the money we were throwing around at that time.
Then the Yankees refuse to extend him in the spring. He sure as hell didn't like that and made it known. He gave enough to the team over the years that he deserved to talk money before the season started, and we probably could've gotten off way, way cheaper if we had done so. Of course, the new, fiscally responsible Yankees don't extend players in the spring anymore...
Next we have two major departures from the 90s era dynasty in Bernie Williams and Torre. Torre was really the only manager Rivera has known on the major league level. He was unquestionably hurt not only by the way he was treated in negotiations, but also the way Torre was held on a big hook for the last two years in a situation that was not necessarily his fault.
Bernie, his friend and career-long teammate, was treated very poorly in his negotiations for a new deal and took that as his cue to retire. I think Mo's learned wisely from these situations and wants a long-term deal in case he has an off-year (say, a 4.00 ERA) but still has something in the tank. He doesn't want to be in a situation where he's a non-roster invitee in spring training because he's perceived as being over the hill.
Then we have management insinuating his age is keeping him from the kind of contract he wants. This kind of posturing is common in sports deals, but it isn't endearing to a free agent looking to cash in. Either he's using this for leverage or he really is upset with the Yankees and doesn't care if he stays or goes.
The above shows that Mo now understands this is a business, not a family. Families don't throw their patriarch out the door when they don't get into the World Series or push their legends to the curb because of a new direction (not that I agree with this, just how I could see him thinking). He's getting to the end of the line and he's looking for one last, very big payday. I can't say I blame him, but from the perspective of a fan it is disappointing that we could potentially lose a Yankee legend. In this off-season, anything's possible.
Mardy Collins Superfan
