Closer Mariano Rivera confirmed Monday that he is staying put with the New York Yankees.
Rivera, who turns 38 on Nov. 29, confirmed Monday that he accepted New York's three-year, $45-million US offer, but must pass a physical to finalize it.
Mariano Rivera has 443 saves in 502 chances with the New York Yankees.
(Kathy Willens/Associated Press)
Re-signing Rivera was considered an off-season priority for the Yankees, who also reached terms on a four-year, $52.4-million US contract with veteran catcher Jorge Posada, a two-year, $4-million US pact with backup catcher Jose Molina, and reportedly are putting the finishing touches on a 10-year, $275-million US deal with Alex (A-Rod) Rodriguez, last season's most valuable player in the American League.
"There is a finish line in sight," Rodriguez told reporters Monday.
"We have got everybody back," Yankees senior vice-president Hank Steinbrenner said. "We'll keep doing whatever we're going to do to improve — the off-season isn't over yet."
Rivera recently completed a three-year, $31.1-million US contract with the Yankees, the only major-league team he has pitched for.
The Panamanian right-hander went 3-4 with a 3.15 earned-run average and 30 saves in 34 opportunities over 67 appearances last season, his 13th in New York.
He struck out 74 batters and walked only 12 in 71 1/3 innings.
"Mariano is obviously someone that we cannot live without because he is one of a kind and he is so unique in what he does for us," Rodriguez said. "He is such an unbelievable force in our clubhouse.
"In many ways, he is kind of the voice for a lot of people in there."
Rivera is 62-44 lifetime with a 2.35 ERA, 443 saves in 502 chances, and 857 strikeouts in 953 innings over 787 MLB games with the Yankees, who initially signed him as an undrafted free agent on Feb. 17, 1990.
His 443 saves rank third overall behind Trevor Hoffman (524) and Lee Smith (478).
Rivera is an eight-time all-star, and earned MVP honours in the 2000 World Series and 2004 AL Championship Series.
With files from the Associated PressRelated
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