The main reason the Yankees have yet to announce the Mariano Rivera signing is because Rivera is holding out for a fourth year. To me, that is ridiculous. Although he put up a good year going 3-4 with a 3.15 ERA and 30 SV, it was his highest ERA since 1995, his rookie season, and the most hits given up since 1996. He is still a solid fielder, but the numbers he is asking for and what it comes out to makes me think the Yankees were pressured to do the right thing with Rivera:I averaged out the last 11 seasons and came up with the following:
- He has pitched 778 innings, averaging 70.7 innings per season.
- He has pitched in 707 games, averaging 64.3 appearances per season.
- He has averaged recording 212.1 outs per season.
Using those averages as expectations for the 2008 season, Rivera will be paid:
- $233,281 for every game he appears in.
- $212,164 for every inning he pitches.
- $70,721 for every out that is recorded when he is in a game.
I think Rivera still has one, maybe two good years left in him, but to pay him that much for three years will only hurt them. They have solid young relievers who could take the closer spot next year. What the Yankees should do is hold strong on their offer, maybe offer a mutual option, and see what he does. It would not surprise me if ends up taking the three year offer when he sees that no team is interested in giving him a four year deal.