MLB

YANKEES NEED TO KEEP JOE SAYS MO

The Yankees’ all-time save leader attempted to rescue Joe Torre yesterday.

After cleaning out his locker, Mariano Rivera rode the elevator from the Yankee Stadium basement to Brian Cashman’s office and lobbied the GM to help bring back Torre as the manager.

“We didn’t talk about my contract, that will be talked with my agent,” Rivera told The Post on his way out of the players’ parking lot. “I talked to him about Joe and the good job he does.”

Rivera, who said earlier in the day that Torre’s fate will play a role in his decision to return or leave via free agency, was asked if Cashman listened.

“I hope. We will see,” Rivera said. “They are going to have their meetings next week. We will see.”

Cashman acknowledged he talked to Rivera but wouldn’t discuss specifics.

Rivera, who recorded saves in the final games of 1998, 1999 and 2000, is lobbying for Torre to return. He is one of several players (Cashman wouldn’t give names) who have talked to the GM on Torre’s behalf.

Yesterday marked the second day since the Yankees were escorted out of the ALDS by the Indians and nothing changed. According to several people who deal with Steinbrenner, he remains committed to not bringing Torre back. And, thanks to Steinbrenner offering an edict last weekend in which Torre had to beat the Indians or risk losing his job, there doesn’t seem to be anybody within the organization who can, or is willing to try, to save Torre’s scalp.

A year ago Cashman went to the mat for Torre with Steinbrenner. Then Torre had one year and $7 million remaining on a contract and Steinbrenner didn’t shoot off his mouth publicly.

Though the Yankees aren’t likely to make their moves public until next week’s meetings in Tampa conclude, Torre isn’t going to let them off the hook.

According to several people, Torre has informed friends he isn’t stepping aside. He isn’t going to make it easy for the Yankees to let go of the manager with the second most wins in franchise history, four World Series rings, six AL titles, nine straight AL East championships and 12 straight postseason appearances. And those people insist if 67-year-old Torre is out in The Bronx, he wants to continue managing.

If Torre gets axed, Joe Girardi and Don Mattingly remain the two leading candidates to replace him. And Mattingly may not be opposed to returning as Girardi’s bench coach if that’s the way it shakes out. Girardi told people yesterday he hadn’t heard from the Yankees.

Torre didn’t like what amounted to re-applying for his job a year ago after Detroit beat the Yankees in the ALDS. It’s safe to assume he isn’t happy about being left to dance in the wind this time.

Torre’s backers point to last year, when the longer the process, Torre’s chances of returning increased. The Yankees were ousted on a Saturday and Torre was told Tuesday he was returning. Now, it looks as if it will be more than a week before Torre knows his fate because the crucial meetings aren’t slated to start until Monday at the earliest.

Torre’s future isn’t the only issue on the table. Alex Rodriguez is expected to opt out of his contract and become a free agent within 10 days of the World Series conclusion. Jorge Posada and Rivera will file for free agency after the World Series. There is a $16 million club option on Bobby Abreu, and Andy Pettitte holds a player option for $16 million.

However, Torre will be the one most discussed.

george.king@nypost.com