Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” will be playing over New Yankee Stadium’s loud speakers for at least two more seasons.
Mariano Rivera just signed a two-year deal that will be worth around $30 million. In comparison it’s virtually the same deal he has had the last three seasons in which he has made $15 million each year.
Rivera is coming off another excellent season out of the bullpen and, at age 41, he shows no signs of slowing down. Last season Rivera had excellent numbers posting a 1.80 ERA and saved 33 out of 38 games.
Mariano has surely been the most dominant closer in MLB history having both the most saves in AL and Yankees history. That will only continue as Rivera has not lost any of his pitching prowess.
He has been a dominant closer in the postseason as well. Rivera holds career playoff records for most saves (42) and lowest ERA (0.71). Looking at his appearances from this last postseason, Rivera is surely still in that demigod form only allowing four hits and no runs.
There is no denying what Rivera has done for the Yankee franchise. Unfortunately, he cannot be named “Mr. October” even though he is very well deserving of that title. Rivera is the most clutch pitcher and even the most clutch player of all time. When Mariano trots out of that bullpen, everyone in the stadium knows what is about to happen. Mariano Rivera is going to have another lights-out performance.
So with the signing of Rivera it leaves Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte as the two remaining players that need to be re-signed. But, with Rivera, closer is not a huge opening like it would have been. Instead, it’s a hole filled by none other than the Sandman himself, Mariano Rivera.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com