New York Yankees fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Mariano Rivera has announced he will be back for the 2013 campaign. With that announcement, one cannot help but wonder who is going to be groomed to take over in the ninth inning once the shoo-in for Cooperstown finally hangs up his spikes.
Following Rivera’s traumatic season-ending injury in 2012, the Yankees were fortunate enough to have former Tampa Bay Ray Rafael Soriano in their arsenal, and the big right-hander stepped up his game to fill the void.
In 69 appearances, Soriano had 42 saves and a 2.26 ERA. With him, the team maintained the stability it had grown accustomed to during the era of “the Sandman.”
Unfortunately, that success translated to the potential for “greener pastures” for Soriano and he opted to pursue free agency this offseason.
With that solid backup gone, who will the team turn to should 2013 be Mariano Rivera’s final season?