Rivera Expected to Close the Deal

The NY Post is reporting tonight that Mariano Rivera is expected to accept the Yankees 3-year, $45 million contract offer. Rivera will be meeting with his representatives tomorrow and an announcement could come in the next week. Sources said Rivera was holding out for a 4th year, similar to the deal Jorge Posada just signed. But the Yankees took a hard stance, with Hank Steinbrenner publicly stated that the offer was a final one.

Rivera was also said to still be angry at the Yankees lack of an offer during spring training. But new manager Joe Girardi was said to have softened Rivera's stance when he met with the future hall of famer while on a development trip to the Dominican Republic this past week.

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