Mariano Rivera told the Yankees he is accepting their $45 million, three-year offer and will remain with the only major league team he's ever pitched for.
The closer, who turns 38 Nov. 29, gets an average salary more than $4 million above what any other reliever currently makes.
Rivera's agreement is pending a physical. The Yankees also have a preliminary agreement on a $52.4 million, four-year contract with catcher Jorge Posada and are trying to finish off a record-setting $275 million, 10-year deal with AL MVP Alex Rodriguez.
"We've got everybody back," Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said. "It's good to have both Jorgie and him back."
Rivera was coming off a three-year contract that paid him $31.5 million. He had hoped for an extension before the start of this season, but the Yankees decided not to discuss contract extensions with any of their players until after the 2007 season was over.
"Mariano is obviously someone that we can't live without because he's one of a kind and he's so unique in what he does for us," Rodriguez said.
Cabrera traded
Gold Glove shortstop Orlando Cabrera was traded by the Angels to the White Sox for pitcher Jon Garland yesterday in a surprising swap of dependable players.The deal came 12 days after the White Sox re-signed shortstop Juan Uribe to a $4.5 million, one-year contract. Now, he could wind up on the bench or traded.
"We saw an opportunity to acquire one of the best shortstops in the game and one of the smartest in the game. Somebody who can fit into the No. 2 spot in our lineup for 155 games," Chicago general manager Ken Williams said, adding the trade frees up money that could help the White Sox pull off another deal.
"We're not done yet. We're still trying to land a big fish," he said.
The 33-year-old Cabrera batted .301 with eight homers, 86 RBIs and a career-high 101 runs for the AL West champions this season. He also led AL shortstops in fielding percentage (.983) and won his second Gold Glove.
Garland, an 18-game winner in 2005 and 2006, was 10-13 with a 4.23 ERA in 32 starts this year. He joins a solid Angels rotation that includes John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, and Jered Weaver.
The 28-year-old righthander is 92-81 with a 4.41 ERA in 246 games, including 223 starts, over eight major league seasons, all with the White Sox. Chicago also receives cash from the Angels as part of the trade.
Garland's salary is $12 million next year, then he can become a free agent. Cabrera's salary is $9 million in 2008, and he also will be eligible for free agency after the season.
Glavine happy
Tom Glavine won his 300th game with the Mets. He plans to get his final win for the Braves.Glavine returned to Turner Field as a member of the home team after agreeing to an $8 million, one-year contract with the Braves, his team for 16 seasons until a bitter split led him to sign with the Mets in 2002.
"Obviously, we still love it here," Glavine said a news conference, flanked by his wife, Christine, new Braves general manager Frank Wren, and manager Bobby Cox. "This is home for us."
Glavine, who will turn 42 before the start of next season, went 13-8 with a 4.45 ERA in 200 1/3 innings for the Mets last season.
Castillo on board
The Mets finalized their deal with second baseman Luis Castillo; he got a $25 million, four-year contract with New York, which acquired him from Minnesota July 30 . . . The Padres put the finishing touches on a $10 million, one-year contract with pitcher Greg Maddux. Maddux, who turns 42 April 14, went 14-11 with a 4.14 ERA last season, his first with San Diego . . . Backup catcher Jason LaRue and the Cardinals agreed to an $850,000, one-year contract. Free agent pitchers Dewon Brazelton and John Wasdin agreed to minor league contracts with St. Louis . . . Ex-Red Sox Butch Hobson made it official - he's not returning as manager of the Nashua Pride of the Can-Am League for the 2008 season. Hobson said he's pursuing a managerial post in the Atlantic League.
