Mariano Rivera and the Yankees have agreed to a one-year deal worth $10 million plus incentives. That’s the good news. The downer is who will catch baseball’s all-time closer and a Yankees staff loaded with high-profile names.
While Rivera returned to The Bronx through the “IN’’ door, catcher Russell Martin exited through the “OUT’’ door on his way to the Pirates for a two-year deal worth $16.5 million.
While Rivera was expected to return, even at a $5 million reduction in pay, Martin’s departure sent shock waves throughout baseball’s fraternity and left the Yankees with Francisco Cervelli and Austin Romine as the leading candidates to replace Martin if the Yankees don’t have a trade waiting to happen.
As for Rivera, it was never a question that the 43-year-old closer was coming back after informing the club in October he wanted to pitch at least one more year. The only issue was for how much money.
Early in the process it was believed baseball’s all-time saves leader would have to take a pay cut. Then the Yankees gave Hiroki Kuroda a one-year contract worth $15 million, and there was some thought that Rivera would at least get the $15 million he made last year when his season ended after nine games on May 5 because of a torn right ACL.
Ultimately, Rivera came up $5 million short of his 2012 salary. The deal is contingent on Rivera passing a physical. Barring a new development, Rivera is expected to be ready at the beginning of February for spring training.
With free agent Rafael Soriano seeking a long-term contract and David Robertson an unknown commodity in the closer role, it was important for the Yankees to get Rivera signed. Now, Robertson can fill the eighth-inning role he did well enough to be an All-Star in 2011 prior to an inconsistent 2012.
Rivera’s signing added to Kuroda ($15 million) and Andy Pettitte ($12 million) returning doesn’t end the Yankees’ hunt for arms. According to a source they aren’t done restructuring the staff and could be in the chase for bullpen help.
The Yankees’ focus on rebuilding their pitching staff may have cost them Martin. While many baseball executives believed Martin was simply waiting for the Yankees to make him an offer — something they never did — Martin accepted one of two offers the Pirates made him.