Rivera look for 4th year

[Lconte17]

if hes gonna hold out for a fourth year, then id have to say we've seen the last of MO in the BX.

Sources: Rivera wants 4th year in deal
Ken Rosenthal

There is a reason why Mariano Rivera has not accepted the Yankees' offer of a three-year, $45-million contract.

Rivera, according to major-league sources, wants a fourth guaranteed year.

The Yankees remain the overwhelming favorite to retain Rivera. No other club is expected to even approach their proposal, much less top it.

But Rivera, who turns 38 on Nov. 29, has instructed his agents to shop him, in part because he was angered by Hank Steinbrenner referring to his age in recent comments about the Yankees' offer, a source says.

Rivera has specifically mentioned following Joe Torre to the Dodgers, and his agents also are contacting other clubs about his availability.

Rivera, sources say, believes he deserves the same length of contract as Yankees catcher Jorge Posada, who is on the verge of re-signing for $52.4 million over four years, and Mets closer Billy Wagner, who received $43 million over four years after the 2005 season.

Posada and Wagner are both 36, nearly two years younger than Rivera

[KnickTerp12]

Give him what he wants. Our bullpen sucks as it is

[nykgeneralmanager]

We cannot offer him a 4th year. It's not like anybody else in baseball will offer him 4 years at $15 mil+, so we should hold strong with our 3 years.

[PR07]

Mo needs to stop holding the Yankees hostage here, he's being paid more than he's worth with the Yanks' initial offer.

If this starts to carry out really long, the Yanks ought to start putting feelers on Francisco Cordero.

[Slamm Goodbody]

I think, if that's what he wants, we'll give Mo 4 years, but the amount per year certainly will be decreased. $60 million for a 38 year old reliever is insane. If he gets the same amount as Posada, I'd be more comfortable with that number.

[VinnyTheMick]

Jesus, Mo.....

[Slamm Goodbody]

For the record, I don't think Mo's bluffing here either. He really loves Torre and I wouldn't be surprised to him jump ship for less money and more years in LA.

[nykgeneralmanager]

For the record, I don't think Mo's bluffing here either. He really loves Torre and I wouldn't be surprised to him jump ship for less money and more years in LA.

I agree, and if that is the case, then goodbye Mo. We'll go get a younger Cordero or others to be closer. We have to be financially responsible and efficient (like we've been in recent years) so we can't throw around money to guys because they won us championships. At some point, we have to be realistic. Mo is still a top notch closer, but at 38 years old, giving him a 4 year dear is absolutely foolish. I'll take my chances signing Cordero and trading for a guy like Street. It's about the starting pitcher and middle relief more than it is about the closer anyway.

[cmaff051]

Oh give me a break, we just gave Arod a 10 year deal, and now we are haggling about years with a Yankee legend? Give me a break Cashman, you have had no basis to cry fiscal responsibility when you just gave our 3rd basemen a contract until he's a senior citizen. We seem to be throwing around money and years wily nily this offseason and now we are going to have a double standard for Mariano? Are you freaking kidding me, Cashman?

[cmaff051]

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We have to be financially responsible and efficient (like we've been in recent years

After giving Posada a 4 year deal and Arod a 10 year deal at way above market values, it's clear that we have no plans of exhibiting any fiscal responsibility in the near future. Can we stop with this meme about fiscal responsibility? It's laughable coming from Yankee fans.

[nykgeneralmanager]

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After giving Posada a 4 year deal and Arod a 10 year deal at way above market values, it's clear that we have no plans of exhibiting any fiscal responsibility in the near future. Can we stop with this meme about fiscal responsibility? It's laughable coming from Yankee fans.

Did I agree with the Posada deal? No. ARod is 32 in his prime, Mo is reaching the end of his time. The situations aren't even comparable.

[cmaff051]

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Did I agree with the Posada deal? No. ARod is 32 in his prime, Mo is reaching the end of his time. The situations aren't even comparable.

Right, because Arod is going to be in his prime when he is 41 and 42 at the end of his contract.

Really, this is all just horse ****. Just give him the damn money. The Yankees have had no qualms about giving anybody any money or any additional years this offseason. To try and nickle and dime a Yankee legend while having milk and cookies with a player who deserted your organization and fans during Game 4 of the World Series is just disgusting.

[gooGD]

The difference here is that teams like

the cubs, dodgers, and maybe even detroit would be willing to sign Mo for 4 years..

Arod/Posada, no way are you getting lots of teams willing to even entertain the idea of giving those guys 10 and 4 years respectively..

[nykgeneralmanager]

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Right, because Arod is going to be in his prime when he is 41 and 42 at the end of his contract.

Really, this is all just horse ****. Just give him the damn money. The Yankees have had no qualms about giving anybody any money or any additional years this offseason. To try and nickle and dime a Yankee legend while having milk and cookies with a player who deserted your organization and fans during Game 4 of the World Series is just disgusting.

That is the problem here, they aren't nickle and diming Rivera. He was offered $15 million a year, nearly $5 million more than the next highest paid reliever. We all love Rivera to death, but the chances are slim he is worth $15 million. However, I said screw it it's Mo, give him the money. Then he comes back saying he doesn't want to be the highest paid reliever, but the highest paid PITCHER at $18 million. The next day, he comes back and says oh, make that for 4 years too. That is freakin' ridiculous, I'm sorry.

[cmaff051]

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That is the problem here, they aren't nickle and diming Rivera. He was offered $15 million a year, nearly $5 million more than the next highest paid reliever. We all love Rivera to death, but the chances are slim he is worth $15 million. However, I said screw it it's Mo, give him the money. Then he comes back saying he doesn't want to be the highest paid reliever, but the highest paid PITCHER at $18 million. The next day, he comes back and says oh, make that for 4 years too. That is freakin' ridiculous, I'm sorry.

And Arod was offered $27-30 million a year, which much more than the highest paid position player.

What are the chances Arod is worth $27-30 million a year? Since when does this organization care about what a player is worth? This is the same organization that had a $20 million pinch hitter and a $13 million 4th outfielder, am I right?

Mo either wants a 3/48-54 or he wants a 4th year... 4/52. Just give him the 4th year, the Yankees have lost all credibility regarding fiscal responsibility after this offseason. Nickle and diming a Yankee legend while giving Arod a blank check is shameless.

And yes, they are nickle and diming Mariano, the Yankees have made it clear that they are willing to go way above market value this offseason with the contracts of Posada and Arod, and now they have reservations about doing the same thing for Mariano??? This FO can't be serious...

[nykgeneralmanager]

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And Arod was offered $27-30 million a year, which much more than the highest paid position player.

What are the chances Arod is worth $27-30 million a year? Since when does this organization care about what a player is worth? This is the same organization that had a $20 million pinch hitter and a $13 million 4th outfielder, am I right?

Mo either wants a 3/48-54 or he wants a 4th year... 4/52. Just give him the 4th year, the Yankees have lost all credibility regarding fiscal responsibility after this offseason. Nickle and diming a Yankee legend while giving Arod a blank check is shameless.

And yes, they are nickle and diming Mariano, the Yankees have made it clear that they are willing to go way above market value this offseason with the contracts of Posada and Arod, and now they have reservations about doing the same thing for Mariano??? This FO can't be serious...

ARod's previous salary was over $25 million per season, how can he logically NOT be worth $27-30 million? You want him to take a paycut coming off one of the most legendary seasons in baseball history by a player? I think that is a bit unrealistic. The Yankees made Mo more than a fair offer, and for him to come back like this with these two demands is pretty low on his behalf, whether the Yankees should or shouldn't give him the money is a different argument.

EDIT: And just because we've been irresponsible in the past doesn't mean we can be sucked into anything. I'm very surprised in you of all people saying that "Hey we've messed up 10 times, may as well mess up an 11th." I know what you're saying, don't screw around with a guy like Mo, but at some point the line is drawn.

[Pharmcat]

arod made 25 mill last year, so going to 27.5 mill is no big deal

posada, well we got held hostage and of course had to give in, unless u all want lo duca as our starting C next year ....he wanted the 4th year, who knows if the mets wouldve given it to him or not.....so we had to give him the 4th year to stay....they only blame i could fault would with the FO for not having any prospects ready in the farm at the C position, that mightve helped our bargaining position

and with Mo, its the same deal....unless we want JOba to close, we really dont have any options

[cmaff051]

EDIT: And just because we've been irresponsible in the past doesn't mean we can be sucked into anything. I'm very surprised in you of all people saying that "Hey we've messed up 10 times, may as well mess up an 11th." I know what you're saying, don't screw around with a guy like Mo, but at some point the line is drawn.

We didn't draw the line with Arod, we didn't draw the line with Posada, now why draw the line with Mo, who has done more for this team and this organization than both of them?

In the end, the Yankees will give him 4 years. They've been pretty gutless this offseason and it's going to need to continue because they had no leverage with two of their free agents (Posada and Mo) and completely ruined all the leverage they had with their other free agent (Arod). Drawing a line in the sand with Mariano Rivera is not only hypocritical, but it's spineless.

[Pharmcat]

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We didn't draw the line with Arod, we didn't draw the line with Posada, now why draw the line with Mo, who has done more for this team and this organization than both of them?

In the end, the Yankees will give him 4 years. They've been pretty gutless this offseason and it's going to need to continue because they had no leverage with two of their free agents (Posada and Mo) and completely ruined all the leverage they had with their other free agent (Arod). Drawing a line in the sand with Mariano Rivera is not only hypocritical, but it's spineless.

u can only draw the line so far...we couldve not resigned Arod, we couldve not resigned Posada....you tell me who the Yanks couldve gotten to replace them and still have a chance at the playoffs? there is no one on the market at C, hence Posadas value shot high due to short supply and perhaps the demand of the mets....do i like giving him the 4th year? no, but to keep him and stay competitive, we had to do that...of course we could draw the line and then rebuild completely, but that aint ever gonna happen in NYC

[cmaff051]

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u can only draw the line so far...we couldve not resigned Arod, we couldve not resigned Posada....you tell me who the Yanks couldve gotten to replace them and still have a chance at the playoffs? there is no one on the market at C, hence Posadas value shot high due to short supply and perhaps the demand of the mets....do i like giving him the 4th year? no, but to keep him and stay competitive, we had to do that...of course we could draw the line and then rebuild completely, but that aint ever gonna happen in NYC

This is exactly what I am saying. The Yankees gave Posada a 4 year deal and locked him up until he is 40, they gave Arod a 10 year deal and locked him up until he is 43, and now they are going to beat around the bush and attempt to play games with Rivera? Just give him a 4 year contract and get it over with. As I said, the Yankees can't beat the fiscal responsibility drum anymore, it rings hollow when they have signed both Arod and Posada to way-above market value contracts this offseason. Just sign the man and get this over with, the Yankees made their bed and now they are going to have to sleep in it in the final years of these player's contracts when they are in their 40s, getting paid big bucks, and are replacement level players.