It is not over. Mariano Rivera is not retiring. Baseball’s all-time saves leader intends to pitch again. Rivera told New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman that he plans to return for the 2013 season.
“Rivera contacted us and wants to play,” Cashman told The New York Post.
The news is not all too surprising as Rivera vowed to return after suffering a torn ACL in early May. His return should end any speculation about the return of Rafael Soriano. Ironically, Soriano saved 42 games filling in for No. 42 last season.
Soriano recently declined his $14 million player option for next season. Soriano was made a ‘qualifying offer’ to him worth 13.3 million by the Yankees. This will earn them a draft pick at the end of the first round in the next MLB draft.
The 42-year old Rivera is a free agent so the Yankees will have to come to terms on a new contract. He made $15 million last season.
