Rivera and Posada Deserve the Same
A-Rod Isn't the Only Player the Yankees Should Try to Sign
The Yankees are willing to bend their own rules in order to keep Alex Rodriguez in pinstripes. Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada must be treated the same way.
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
George Orwell. Animal Farm.
It was revealed today that the New York Yankees want to talk to agent Scott Boras about extending Alex Rodriguez' contract. According to sources, the Yankees are willing to bend their own rules in order to keep Rodriguez in pinstripes beyond this season. Attempting to retain Rodriguez is the right move, but that means that two of the most significant players in Yankees' history must be held in the same regard. Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada can leave after this season. Both have been Yankees their entire careers, both were an integral part of the 1998-2000 World Champions, and both have meant more to the Yankees than has Alex Rodriguez.
What Brian Cashman Said
Let us go back to March 22 and see what Yankees' general manager Brian Cashman said about Rodriguez' contract and its escape clause. "Alex has a significant contract. The most significant in baseball history. He has a decision to make. It's in his contract. It's a right he's earned. He's under contract; he can opt out of it if he wants. That's really his decision. It has nothing to do with us. There's nothing we can do about it. It's something he negotiated. If it becomes a distraction, it's because it's part of his deal. He controls that and no one else. It's the same thing with Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and all other guys."
Mariano Rivera Must Be Signed
On February 15, when Mariano Rivera wanted a contract extension, Cashman's response was "Even for a player of Rivera’s stature, it’s not fair to extend him while other players are in the same situation." There is no need to review Mariano Rivera's career or his contributions. This season has been atypical for Mariano, but part of the reason has been the Yankees' poor season. Yankees' pitching coach Ron Guidry thought that Mariano's slow start and inconsistency were due to a lack of work. "The biggest nemesis so far for Mo has been we haven't had a chance to use him a lot. For guys like Mo, they have to throw every couple of days to stay sharp." Since May, Mariano has done his usual job.
Posada and the Yankees Must Agree
Jorge Posada is having the best season of any Yankees' catcher since the days of Thurman Munson. He will be thirty six this August, which is old for most players (except for Barry and Roger, who had some of their best seasons after that age, but neither is a catcher). Recognizing his age, the Yankees and Posada must talk and create a contract that is agreeable to both parties, but attempting to extend Alex Rodriguez' contract during the season and waiting until the end of the season for Rivera and Posada is simply wrong.
Give Mariano, Jorge, and A-Rod the Same Respect
Fans realize and resent that baseball is a multi-billion dollar business. With players changing teams so often, team loyalty almost doesn't exist, but one reason the Yankees of the late 1990s were so likeable was that they projected a feeling of togetherness, to each other and to fans. Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada exemplified that feeling. Brian Cashman has changed his tune about attempting to extend Alex Rodriguez' contract during the season. He must treat Mariano and Jorge the same way. Ask Bernie Williams.
References:
Yanks Willing to Talk to A-Rod
