It’s a done deal – Jorge Posada will remain in pinstripes. Next on the Yankees’ agenda is Mariano Rivera.
Posada still has to take a physical, and the two sides have to handle some contract language, but The Post has learned the Yankees have agreed in principle to a four-year, $52.4 million deal with their 36-year-old All-Star catcher and emotional leader.
Posada’s deal nets him an average value of $13.1 million per season. The Yanks’ exclusivity period ended at midnight last night.
Yankee honcho Hank Steinbrenner said that both Posada and Rivera would be receiving increased offers yesterday, pending the Yanks’ ability to actually reach them or their reps. Posada’s most recent offer was for three years at about $40 million, while Rivera’s was for three years and $39 million.
The Yankees made their updated offer to Posada – the fourth year was a key element – around 8 p.m. last night.
During the day, Posada, his wife Laura and his agents Seth and Sam Levinson had lunch at Le Cirque with Mets GM Omar Minaya and VP of player development Tony Bernazard. Last night, Posada asked Bernazard not to submit an offer – which could have come as early as 12:01 a.m. – because of the Yankees.
According to the Associated Press, Posada now is the highest-paid catcher – with regard to average annual dollars – in the sport.
On Sunday, Posada said he was nearing a deal with the Yanks, saying. “We’re working on it with the Yankees,” and adding, “My first priority is the Yankees. My heart is with the Yankees.”
Posada ranked as the best catcher on the free-agent market, owning a career .277 average, hitting at least 20 homers seven times and driving in at least 80 runs on seven occasions. This past year he batted .338 with 20 homers, 90 RBIs and a .426 on-base percentage.
As for Rivera – now free to talk to all teams – he told the AP yesterday, “The Yankees are my first option. But if that is not possible, there is Joe [Torre] with the Dodgers.”
By bringing back Posada with a four-year deal and by potentially upping their offer to Rivera, there is risk on both the team and player side. For the Yankees, the gamble comes because of the age of each.
Posada turned 36 in August, and while he had a terrific season, inking him to a four-year pact is a risk. Rivera, meanwhile, turns 38 later this month. The future Hall of Famer remains a star closer, posting a 3.15 ERA with 30 saves this past season. But a three- or four-year guarantee for him is also a gamble.
As for the players’ risk, theirs comes with the Yankees’ situation being somewhat unknown. The Yankees have a new manager and have lost their best player in Alex Rodriguez. Andy Pettitte also is a free agent.
Meanwhile, the Yankees have shown some interest in free agent Chris Gomez, who would act as their utility man. The 36-year-old Gomez played with Baltimore and Cleveland this past season, hitting a combined .297 with a homer and 21 RBIs in 222 at-bats.
“We have contact,” GM Brian Cashman said of free agents. “We’ve had discussions with agents. See if it fits.”
Gomez played first, second and third base this year, and also has experience at shortstop. This season the Yankees used Miguel Cairo and Wilson Betemit as utility players. Cairo no longer is with the Yankees and is a free agent.