While the Derek Jeter contract negotiations haven’t been a very smooth ride, the Yankees have had a much easier time dealing with free agent closer Mariano Rivera, and according to the New York Daily News, Rivera and the Yankees are expected to finalize an agreement on Friday night.
Mariano Rivera, Yankees Reach Two-Year Contract Agreement
The agreement will be for two years and will be worth $30 million. Rivera was initially seeking a two-year contract worth closer to $36 million, while the Yankees were reluctant to guarantee a second year, but the two sides were able to reach a compromise in the middle. Rivera made $15 million in 2010, and thus will not be taking a pay cut.
Jon Heyman is reporting that, while Rivera was assumed all the while to be returning to New York, a handful of other teams made offers to try to steal him away, with the Angels and Red Sox going so far as to offer three-year contracts. But the 41-year-old Rivera elected to stay loyal to the team to which he’s always belonged, and all will rejoice.
Rivera posted a 1.80 ERA in 2010, allowing just 39 hits in 60 innings. He didn’t allow a run over six postseason appearances.
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