Post Sandy Post: Mo & Soriano

Like almost everyone else in the region, I had been without power for five days, and just finally got my internet back today. Hope you're all doing well out there..... Anyway, here's the two most important stories I missed.

First, here's the good news via ESPN New York:

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera has informed the team he intends to pitch next season, general manager Brian Cashman told ESPNNewYork.com's Andrew Marchand on Saturday.

"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."

And now the bad, or at least what I would consider bad news. Rafael Soriano has opted out of his contract and is looking for a four-year deal, and wants to close.

"I don't think Soriano would sign here if he's not going to be the closer," Cashman said. "And I don't think we would do again what we did before. He's going to want closer money and I doubt he would want to come back here as a set-up man."

...

According to Yankees president Randy Levine, who negotiated the Soriano deal, Boras believes Soriano can command a contract in the neighborhood of four years and $60 million based on his 2012 season, in which he converted 42 of 46 save opportunities after assuming the closing duties from Rivera, who suffered a season-ending knee injury May 3.

"Based on that, I understand why he would opt out," Levine said. "I hope he's right. We love him here at the Yankees but we wouldn't pay him $60 million for four years."

With Mo coming back for one final year, the Yankees are still going to need to find a replacement and Soriano proved this year that he could be that guy. In my opinion they should do what they have to do to resign him and promise him the closers role once Mo retires. That said, it doesn't seem like that will be the case.

Uh oh.... Mariano Rivera May Be Leaning Towards Retiring

From Andrew Marchand:

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Mariano Rivera, considered the greatest closer in baseball history, informed him earlier this week that he is unsure if he will play again or retire.

Cashman told ESPN New York that on Tuesday he and Rivera had a conversation in which Rivera said he was unsure if he will return for a 19th season.

"He wasn't certain on what he is going to do," Cashman said.

...

Now, with his 43rd birthday next month and as he's worked very hard during his rehab to return, Rivera has the familiar tug that he has carried for many years of possibly wanting to stay home with his family and call it a career.

In the past, Rivera also has emphasized that he expects to leave the game as an elite player. If he has doubts that he will retain his skill level, that also could tilt him to call it a career with the most saves (608) in MLB history and five World Series rings.

The negotiations for a new contract also could be a bit complicated. Rivera made $15 million last season, but even with the front office's utmost respect for him, it is unclear what it will offer him considering he would be returning after a season in which he pitched in only nine games.

...

During his end-of-season news conference on Wednesday, Yankees manager Joe Girardi hinted that Rivera may not return.

"From watching how he rehabbed and everything that he was going through, picked up a baseball sooner than he was supposed to and got his hand smacked a little bit, that would tell me that Mo probably wants to play," Girardi said. "But in saying that, it's a decision that I think he'll sit down with his family, evaluate where he is maybe a little bit later in this process and how he feels and how his arm feels, to feel like you think you can compete at the same level he's always competed at. But I don't think that you push a rehab like he pushed it unless you think that you possibly have some interest in coming back."

If Mo decides he wants to hang it up and spend more time with his family that's certainly something he's earned.

Now, if the Yankees make money an issue and pull the same crap they did with Jeter a few years back than I think we all should be pretty pissed off. This is Mariano Rivera for crying out loud, if he wants to return you give him basically whatever he wants, especially if it's on a one or two year deal.

Mo Feeling Fine After Long-Toss Session

From Dan Martin:

Mariano Rivera chose not to talk with reporters after his long-toss session before last night’s 8-2 victory over the Rangers, but his appearance on the field at Yankee Stadium said a lot about how far he already has come in his rehab from surgery to repair his torn right ACL.

Nevertheless, the Yankees’ stance on the closer’s future for 2012 remains unchanged: “I don’t see it happening, but I don’t ever say never,” manager Joe Girardi said.
Maybe not, but general manager Brian Cashman reiterated yesterday the closer is done for the season.

While Girardi didn’t watch Rivera, pitching coach Larry Rothschild did, and said it went “fine.” The next step in Rivera’s recovery has yet to be decided as he makes his way back from tearing up his right knee chasing a fly ball during batting practice in Kansas City on May 3.

Despite the Yankees’ certainty Rivera’s season is over, Girardi said yesterday was another positive step for the pitcher who looked healthy as he wandered around the Stadium.

“Larry told me he threw well and looked pretty good,” Girardi said. “When you’re a baseball player and you can’t do the things you used to do, as soon as you can you try it.”

I, like the Yankees, don't see any kind of comeback this season, but it's still good to know that he's working his way back.

Cashman: Rivera Won't Return This Year

From Bryan Hoch:

Yankees GM Brian Cashman was on SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio channel this morning, where hosts Jim Duquette and Mike Ferrin asked about reports that closer Mariano Rivera may be able to play this season.

....

Host/Jim Duquette: “Mo, is there a chance he could come back? We saw some reports that he might be able to come back.”

Brian Cashman: “No. I mean, his physical therapist that he’s working with, I thought was unprofessional and went public with things. I mean, medical personnel should be quiet. And it’s not our physical therapist, it’s someone he’s got that we’ve signed off on. But those guys should not be doing interviews and he provided an interview that was, you know, not a fair reflection of where this player’s at. His over-enthusiasm, I thought, provided improper information. He’s not coming back this year and I wish he was, I wish he was, but unfortunately people get excited. They want to get their name out there for whatever reason and so he got a day in the sun, but he’ll be proven wrong in the end unfortunately. So, he got all our fans excited and a lot more media attention for myself to deal with, but he’s not coming back this year. I wish he was.”

Well, it was a long shot anyway. Better to not get your hopes up only to be let down in the end.

Rivera Puts the Brakes on Talks of a Return

From Stefan Bondy:

Mariano Rivera has gone from adamant to hesitant about playing next season.

Baseball’s best closer ever said Saturday he’s so focused on the day-to-day grind of physical therapy that he can’t commit to pitching in 2013, let alone this season, declining to let his mind wander beyond the moment.

“I don’t even know if I want to play next year. I don’t know what tomorrow is going to bring. One day at a time,” said Rivera, who was walking without a limp at Yankee Stadium after watching a training session of the English Premier League’s Chelsea soccer squad, which plays an exhibition Sunday at the Stadium.

“I don’t want to put something in my mind because if it doesn’t happen, I’ll be disappointed,” he added.

...

“I love (baseball). I love the game. I love the competition. I love being on the field,” he said on Saturday. “Going out like that, to me, I won’t take it. Hopefully the good Lord will allow me to be on the field again.”

Hopefully he just had a tough week or something in rehab and this isn't the beginnings of Mo slowing breaking down mentally and just giving up. Major injuries like this, especially in your 40's, can sometimes do that to a person.

Mo hoping for a September return?

From Matt Ehalt:

Injured New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera said Monday that he hopes to pitch again this season.

Rivera has been on the disabled list since May 4 after tearing his right ACL while shagging balls prior to a game against Kansas City.

"That's my goal," Rivera said Monday on "The Michael Kay Show" on 98.7 FM ESPNNewYork. "I don't think about it because if it doesn't happen, I will be kind of like disappointed. I take it day by day. I'm working hard and doing what I do. ... That's the way I'm thinking, day by day and positive, definitely. Optimism, positive. Whatever the Lord will allow to happen, will happen."

Rivera, though, would not definitely say he will be returning in September for the pennant push.

"I don't know," Rivera said. "I can't answer that. I don't know. I want to, I want to be there now, but if there is any chance, only God knows."

Mo sounds optimistic, but he's alone on this. basically nobody else does:

The New York Post reported Yankees general manager Brian Cashman as saying: "in terms of 2012, he's out."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi has also said the team doesn't believe Rivera will return this year.

Even Dr. Keith Pyne, who told the Post that Rivera is ahead of schedule in his recovery, said at the moment the closer would not be returning.

"Right now, he's shut down until next year," Pyne told the pape

It would obviously be a great story, but I think this is all just wishful thinking on Mo's part. But then again it's Mo, so who knows.

Rivera To Have Surgery Next Tuesday

Mariano Rivera told the media today that he will have surgery on his torn ACL next Tuesday. Here's a little more on the story from Dan Martin:

The surgery will be performed at Hospital for Special Surgery by Dr. David Altchek. Rivera said he isn’t concerning himself with an exact timetable after the procedure.

“I don’t want to have that,” said Rivera, who learned that the clot was gone last week. “I don’t want to put in my mind a line. When the Lord permits it to be ready, it will be ready.”
And while he isn’t concerning himself with the possibility of returning this season, he hasn’t completely ruled it out.

“I don’t want to think about it,” Rivera said. “Again, miracles happen. I just have to be able to do what I was doing before. That’s what I want.”

No Date Set For Rivera's Surgery

From Roger Rubin:

No date has been set for Rivera’s knee surgery, and the righthander remains on blood-thinning medication for the clot in his leg, discovered after he tore his right ACL on May 3. Rivera said the last time he was examined, the clot was still present. Once the problem is resolved, he will require a few days off the blood thinners before he can have the surgery. But the treatment to eliminate the clot could take as long as three months.

“We’re trying to work the clot first,” Rivera said. “In the meantime, we’re strengthening it.”

Rivera has been doing range-of-motion and strengthening exercises in hopes it will make his post-surgery rehab shorter. On Tuesday, there was little sign of a limp as he walked in the clubhouse.

Complications for Mo

From George A. King III:

Mariano Rivera’s visit with surgeons yesterday was expected to result in a date for surgery to repair a torn right ACL.  

However, things didn’t go as smoothly as expected for the Yankees closer.

“We ran into complications,’’ agent Fernando Cuza told The Post. “I am referring to Dr. Ahmad and [Yankees general manager] Brian Cashman for further information.’’ 

 Neither Cuza nor the Yankees would elaborate on what was discovered when Rivera met with Yankees team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad, Dr. Russell Warren, the Giants’ physician, and David Altchek, the Mets’ doctor, who performed surgery on Rivera’s shoulder after the 2008 season.  

 It was suspected the surgeons would concur with last week’s diagnosis in Kansas City that Rivera had a torn ACL and torn meniscus and plans for season-ending surgery would be made.  

 “I won’t comment on that right now,’’ Cashman said. “He was at the Hospital for Special Surgery and saw Dr. Warren and then saw [Dr.] Ahmad. He was scheduled to see both.’’

That's odd. Hopefully this isn't too much of a concern. If I find any more info I'll update this post. There was a report that stated that "a high-ranking team official" said today that the complications weren't that serious and that the Yankees were still gathering more information. However, they also added that "with any complications related to surgery, it can't be good news."

Mariano: I'm Not Going Out Like This

So much for those fears that yesterday's injury would be the end for Mariano:

"I'm coming back. Write it down in big letters. I'm not going out like this", said Rivera. "I love to play the game. To me, going out like this isn't the right way."

Here's a little more from the NYPost:

“He mentioned three, four months, five months (until he can start working out). Depends on how I can take it," Rivera said. "He did my shoulder before. I’m a quick healer. That’s good. That’s all good.”

Now 42 years old, Rivera will be a free agent after this year. He expressed confidence, rightly so, that the Yankees would want him back.

“Oh, yeah. They will want the old goat,” he said.

Before Friday night's game against the Royals, Rivera said he will address his teammates as a group.

“I’m just going to give them encouragement that I trust them and believe in them,” Rivera said. “They can do the job. They will do the job.”

Knowing that this isn't the end for Mo makes dealing with this injury a whole lot easier, doesn't it?

Mo Out For Season With Torn ACL

Here's the worst news you've probably heard all day via Bryan Hoch:

Rivera has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, suffered while chasing a batting practice fly ball near the center field wall this evening in Kansas City.

The torn ACL was diagnosed by the Royals’ team physicians after an MRI at an area hospital tonight. He will be evaluated by the Yankees’ team physicians in New York, but the club is not expecting a miracle — his season is almost certainly over.

Rivera acknowledged that his stellar, Hall of Fame caliber career may have also ended tonight on the warning track in Kansas City, playfully lunging for a line drive as he has done countless times before.

David Robertson's will take over the closer spot and attempt to fill Rivera's HOF-sized shoes. “I don’t know if I’m prepared to do it or not," Robertson said when asked about his new role. "I’m going to go out there and give it my best.”

This is a crushing blow for the team and fans. This was supposed to be Mariano's farewell tour, and now it ends prematurely with a freak injury during batting practice. I don't really know what else to say besides I really hope this isn't the end for Mo.

Mo's postgame comments:


Here's some more reactions from the clubhouse.

Mo Twists Knee Shagging Fly Balls in BP

Mariano Rivera had to be carted off the field after injuring his knee shagging fly balls during batting practice. According to Bryan Hoch, the Yankees are saying he has a twisted right knee. He was sent for an MRI during the game tonight.

Mark Feinsand reports the Yankees are obviously very concerned.

Despite reports at the scene that described the injury as a twisted knee, Yankee officials were bracing for the worse, i.e., structural damage.

Rivera, who many Yankees have said for years would be their best outfielder, was shagging flies as he does every day when he made a leaping attempt at a Jayson Nix fly ball in center field. Rivera’s right knee appeared to give out on him when he landed, then he made light contact with the wall and dropped to the warning track, clutching his right knee as he winced in severe pain.

“It looked like the Derrick Rose play,” said one witness, referring to the Chicago Bulls’ star guard who tore his ACL last week.

This season might have just taken a major turn for the worse.

Mo May Announce His Plans By The All Star Break

From Kevin Kernan:

All signs point to the great Rivera retiring after the 2012 season. When he retires, in many ways, Rivera will be just beginning his life’s work and will do so through his church, the Refuge of Hope. There are much bigger games to save.

He revealed to The Post yesterday he will announce his decision before midseason.

“I have to fight for my salvation,’’ Rivera said. “I have to work for that. That is what makes a real closer. That is the game I would love to close. That is what drives me.

“These are only games, now we are talking about lives. There is nothing better than that. That’s closing the deal.

“There is definitely a higher calling. I’m not a man to talk about fame or what I have accomplished, none of that stuff. To me that is good, but it is not important.

“If I can get hold of a teenager and tell him, ‘You know what, Jesus loves you, He cares about you and your family,’ that is the message. That’s what I want to do.’’

Rivera, 42, appears to be preparing himself mentally to move on and is savoring each baseball day. He wants to make sure his final decision is the correct one, and that’s why he has yet to announce it.

“I think maybe it will be before the All-Star break,’’ Rivera said of when he will make that announcement.

...

“I just want to be sure,’’ he said. “I want to make sure whatever I decide, it will be the right decision.’’

...

“I don’t want to tell you, ‘OK, I’m going to retire,’ and then I don’t do it,’’ he said. “To me, that’s not right.’’

...

“Whatever decision I make, I continue or I don’t continue, that is a decision I want to stick with,’’ he said of his thought process. “As you get older, you have your priorities and you just go and do it.’’

...

“It would be nice that you tell the fans, so every stadium you go to, the fans will be there to show their appreciation and you appreciate the fans,’’ he said.

“I appreciate all the fans; I appreciate their support and what they mean to the game.

“That’s the way it should be done, with respect, to give them the opportunity to see you and say goodbye. I think that’s the way to do it.

“I don’t want to take for granted everything the fans have given me. I don’t want to take for granted what God has given me.’’

I hate so much that this is going to be his last year, and the more I hear from him the more that reality is sinking in. Anyway, for now I'd just like to look ahead at this year.

Mo's Final Season?

Obviously it's nothing official or definitive, however, it definitely sounds like this could be it for Mo. Here's more from Mark Feinsand and John Harper:

Is the Sandman ready to call it a night?

Mariano Rivera wasn’t prepared to make an official retirement announcement on Monday, but the legendary Yankee closer strongly hinted that 2012 would be the final season of his Hall of Fame career.

“I definitely know what I’m going to do,” Rivera said of his plans beyond 2012. “I won’t let you know now, but I know."

Rivera called his decision “irrevocable” and said his performance this season — good or bad — won’t affect his future.

“It doesn’t depend on how I’m going to pitch,” Rivera said. “I always want to do my job, but I’ve made my decision already. Even if I save 90 games, even if they want to pay as much money as they want to — any team.”

Rivera said he made his decision two or three weeks ago, informing his family, though he hasn’t told the Yankees yet.

“They will be second,” he said.

...

“Decisions like that are always hard,” Rivera said. “They involve what you do and what you have done for 22 years. Decisions like that are always hard, difficult, but at the same time, they have to be made.

“This one is different,” Rivera added. “This one is my decision. When I let you guys know what it is, you guys will know.”

Sounds like he's decided to retire, doesn't it?

Mo Will Likely Need Vocal Cord Surgery

From Anthony McCarron:

The Yankees' quiet offseason got what they hope is only a minor jolt Tuesday when closer Mariano Rivera revealed that he might need surgery on his vocal cords. Rivera, who spoke barely above a whisper at a charity event, said they’ve been bothering him for about a month.

“Every time I talk, it gets worse and worse,” the Yankee closer said while hosting 42 children and their families for a Thanksgiving meal at his New Rochelle restaurant, 42 Clubhouse Grill. “I thought it was a little simple thing and I went to the doctor and she said they might have to do something. I think they have to scrape them.”

It’s unclear whether any procedure would affect Rivera’s preparations for spring training or the 2012 season. As Rivera put it, “When you’re talking about surgery, there’s no ‘simple.’” Still, it’s unlikely to be a major problem for the closer, who turns 42 next week - it’s not his seemingly ageless right arm, after all.

Brian Cashman, citing the HIPAA privacy rule, refused comment on the matter. Rivera said he is headed to the doctor on Monday for another examination, which could determine whether he needs surgery.

I'm sure everything will go smoothly and Mo will be fine. Again, like the article says, it's not his right arm.