While the main focus of the Yankees offseason has been on Derek Jeter and Cliff Lee, the first order of business was Mariano Rivera.
Brian Cashman revealed last night that he met with Rivera’s agent, Fernando Cuza, early last week while he was in Tampa having planning sessions with Yankees owners Hal and Hank Steinbrenner.
Cuza, who lives in Sarasota, drove up to meet with Cashman to have initial conversations about re-signing the free-agent closer.
“We happened to be in the same spot at the same time,” Cashman said at the dinner for Joe Torre’s Safe at Home Foundation. “So it made sense.”
The meeting with Cuza was Cashman’s first meeting with an agent this offseason. He met with Jeter’s and Lee’s reps this week.
Rivera did not have much to say about the negotiations.
“When I know, I’ll tell you,” Rivera said after being asked when he hoped to have a contract. “You’ll have to ask Brian about it.”
Rivera, who will turn 41 on Nov. 29, had another stellar year last season, piling up 33 saves with a 1.80 ERA. Though there were some flashes of inconsistency, he also threw 6 1/3 innings in the postseason without giving up an earned run.
** Cashman said Jorge Posada reacted “like a pro” when he met with him Monday to tell him that they want him to be a designated hitter next season.The Yankees want to open up the catching competition in the spring to give top prospect Jesus Montero a chance to win the job. That would leave Posada as the everyday DH and back up to Montero.
“We had a good, honest, direct conversation. He was professional and all he wants to do is win and he wants to play,” Cashman said. “If things go the way we’re drawing it up he’ll be in the lineup as the DH. But I told him he needs to prepare as a catcher at the same time.”
Cashman said the job won’t go to Montero by default, saying prospect Austin Romine and this year’s back-up, Francisco Cervelli, will also get a shot. Cashman even said they’d consider adding a free agent catcher.
“We’re certainly not handing anyone the job,” Cashman said.
It sounds like Cashman is preparing for a competition similar to the one the Yankees held for the fifth starter’s job this year, which Phil Hughes eventually won.
“It will be something that I hope will be a great, healthy competition,” Cashman said.
**The Yankees interviewed Gil Patterson and Mike Harkey for their pitching-coach vacancy. The interviews will continue today, but Cashman would not say who the other candidates are. Triple-A pitching coach Scott Aldred is also expected to interview. Harkey has been the bullpen coach for the last three seasons.
**Second baseman Robinson Cano won the AL Silver Slugger Award at second base. It is the second time he won the award. He is the eighth AL second baseman to win both the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove in the same year.