Baseball: Yankees closing on Deal with Rivera

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera remains hopeful a deal on a three-year contract extension can be completed before the team leaves for Japan next week.

Fernando Cuza, Rivera's agent, and New York general manager Brian Cashman met for three hours Friday. Cuza was believed to have made a $33 million, three-year proposal. The Yankees are thought to be looking at a two-year deal with a team or vesting option for the third season.

"We made an offer to the Yankees and I think it's a fair offer," Rivera said before Friday night's game against Detroit. "They're talking back and forth. We want to do it as easy as possible."

Cashman said he would have nothing to announce Friday night, but planned to talk again by phone with Cuza.

"It's entered a stage where we're either going to get something done or we're not," Cashman said. "I understand their issues and they understand our issues. It's time for both sides to make a decision one way or the other."

Rivera is hopeful the negotiations can be completed before the Yankees depart Thursday for a season opening two-game series March 30-31 in Tokyo against Tampa Bay.

"I think so, yes," he said. "Hopefully they will."

The Yankees career saves leader is in the final season of a $39.99 million, four-year contract and would like to work out an extension with Yankees that runs through 2007.

Rivera again said he will not talk about an extension once the regular season begins.

"We have to shut off talks," Rivera said. "I have to concentrate on the season."

Cashman agreed with Rivera's position.

"There's no doubt it will get done or not get done before the season starts," Cashman said.

Rivera, 34, is coming off another stellar season, going 5-2 with a career-low 1.66 ERA. He had 40 saves in 46 chances, increasing his career total to 283 -- all after missing the first 25 games because of a groin injury.

I like waht they yankees are doing, without Rivera they have nothing on the pitching staff (relieving part) he is the most dominaate closer ever

hopefully the will work out a deal that will have him finish up in NY. He deserves it. Its going to be fun looking forward to seeing what kindof job he does this season.

Yankees get the deal done

Closer Mariano Rivera and the Yankees have agreed to terms on a two-year, $21 million contract extension through 2006.

2003 SEASON STATISTICS
GM W L Sv K ERA
64 5 2 40 63 1.66

The Yankees scheduled an afternoon news conference to announce the deal.

Rivera will reportedly be paid $10.5 million in 2005 and 2006, according to a New York Times report.

He will make $8.89 million in 2004, the final season of a four-year contract.

The extension includes a team option for 2007 at $10.5 million that could become guaranteed based on games finished the previous two seasons.

Neither side wanted to negotiate during the season, and Rivera didn't want to become a free agent.

"This is my home," Rivera was quoted as saying in The Times. "Why buy another house?"

Rivera, MVP of the 1999 World Series and last year's AL championship series, helped the Yankees win four Series titles and six AL pennants.

He was 5-2 with a career-low 1.66 ERA last year and had 40 saves in 46 chances, increasing his career total to 283.