The Yankees were set to offer increased proposals to both Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera before the day was over, but there was no chance that either star free agent would agree to terms before midnight.
Hank Steinbrenner said yesterday that both players would be receiving increased offers yesterday, pending the Yankees’ ability to actually reach them, or presumably their representatives. But GM Brian Cashman said there was no shot of Posada or Rivera agreeing to terms last night, meaning the Yankees will lose their exclusivity period starting today.
“We are engaged with agents,” Cashman said when asked about the increases. “When the players make a decision, we will have something to talk about.”
Posada’s most recent offer was for approximately three years and $40 million, while Rivera’s was for three years and $39 million. On Sunday, Posada said he was nearing a deal with the Yanks, but that will apparently have to wait at least a day.
With both players set to get upped offers, their new deals could potentially be in the neighborhood of Johnny Damon’s and Hideki Matsui’s contracts. Both players are in the midst of four-year pacts for $52 million.
At Sunday’s Knicks game, Posada said that “we’re working on it with the Yankees,” adding, “My first priority is the Yankees. My heart is with the Yankees.” The Mets also have interest in Posada, however, and the catcher said that he would “hear from the Mets” today.
If the Yankees up their offers to both Rivera and Posada and they end up bringing both the catcher and the closer back, consider there risk on each 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 – he hit .338 with 20 homers, 90 RBIs and a .426 on-base percentage – inking him to a three- or four-year pact is a risk.
Rivera, meanwhile, turns 38 later this month. The future Hall of Famer remains a star, posting a 3.15 ERA with 30 saves this past season. But a three- or four-year guarantee to 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 seemingly lost their best player (in Alex Rodriguez). Andy Pettitte is also 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. The Yankees have also had interest in Gomez in the past, so this is a renewed desire.
“We have contact,” Cashman said of Gomez. “We’ve had discussions with agents. See if it fits.”
Gomez played first base, second base and third base this past year, and he also has experience at shortstop. This past season the Yankees used both Miguel Cairo and Wilson Betemit as utility players. Cairo is no longer with the Yankees and is now a free agent.
– Additional reporting by George King