Rivera Signs One-Year Deal with Yankees

nypost.com

The Yankees were able to resign the best closer of all-time, and a iconic figure in the history of their team in Mariano Rivera for one more season. The deal between the Yankees and Rivera is a one year 10 million dollar contract with incentives that could bring the total salary up to 15 million.

The 2012 season was not the way that the future hall of famer Rivera wanted to end his career, as he only made nine appearances before he tore his ACL on the warning track in Kansas City catching fly balls.

"Like I've been saying, I didn't want to go out like that," Rivera said in a statement released by the team. "I didn't want that to be the last image."

"But it wasn't an easy decision because there's more than just baseball with me," Rivera said. "I have to consider my family and the church, too. But I feel like we have a great group of guys and a team that can compete for a championship. I'm not just coming back to play. I'm coming back to win."

Rafael Soriano did a great job filling in for Rivera saving 42 of his 46 save oppurtuinties, but with the great season from Soriano he opted out of the final year in his deal to pursue another nice contract.

The Yankees will hope that Rivera can stay healthy, and be the anchor in the bullpen like he has been for so long to hopefully lead the Yankees to another World Series run in 2013.

Rivera Set to Return in 2013

The Yankees got news that the all-time saves leader, and best closer of all-time Mariano Rivera will be coming back for the 2013 season a few days after word came out that Rivera who once said he was definitely coming back was maybe starting to have second thoughts.

"He wants to play again," said Cashman, who was informed by the reliever of his decision Friday. "I'll work with his agent, Fernando Cuza, on the details of a contract."

There hasn’t been any word yet on how much Rivera will be making but in all likelihood it will only be a one year deal, as 2013 would figure to be Rivera’s last before heading to Cooperstown.

With Rivera coming back it also would be safe to assume the Rafael Soriano who had a great year for the Yankees converting 42 of 46 saves in Rivera’s absence probably wont be brought back to be a setup man for Rivera again, as Soriano will want a new big contract, and would obviously prefer to be a closer leaving the Yankees closer situation after 2013 a big question mark.

To set up Rivera for his last year it will be David Robertson, David Aardsma, Boone Logan, and Joba Chamberlain for sure with David Phelps also possibly in the bullpen as well. There is also some talk of possibly bringing in Joakim Soria who the Yankees have always been high on, as he will be a free agent coming off a Tommy John surgery, and has said he wouldn’t mind setting up and learning from Rivera.