Yankees close the deal
Rivera gets 2-year contract extension
Mariano Rivera has no desire to leave the New York Yankees. That's why it took little time to negotiate a $21 million, two-year contract extension through 2006.
Yankees owner George Steinbrenner looked on as the deal was announced yesterday in Tampa and gave the pitcher a hug.
"I think I was born to be a Yankee," Rivera said. "I want to thank Mr. George to get the opportunity to stay with the Yankees forever, have a chance to get into the Hall of Fame with the pinstripes. That's big for me."
Rivera, MVP of the 1999 World Series and last year's AL Championship Series, helped the Yankees win four Series titles and six AL pennants.
He was 5-2 with a career-low 1.66 ERA last year and had 40 saves in 46 chances, increasing his career total to 283.
Rivera will make $8.89 million in 2004, the final season of a four-year contract.
The Yankees sent shortstop Joaquin Arias to Texas to complete the Feb. 16 trade that brought Alex Rodriguez to New York for Alfonso Soriano. Arias, rated the No. 4 prospect in the Yankees' system by Baseball America, hit .266 for Single A Battle Creek last season with 3 homers, 48 RBIs, and 12 steals.
Schmidt, Nen ailing
San Francisco Giants ace Jason Schmidt will miss his second straight spring start tomorrow because of a sore throwing shoulder, raising doubt whether he will be ready for the season opener. Also, closer Robb Nen's workload was cut back yesterday because of discomfort in his shoulder and he had an MRI. A three-time All-Star who had 43 saves and a 2.20 ERA in 2002, Nen didn't pitch after right shoulder surgery last May 7 to repair a torn tendon . . . Omar Daal could be headed for another trip to the disabled list. Vying to earn a spot in the Baltimore Orioles' starting rotation, Daal experienced soreness in the back of his left shoulder while throwing on a back field yesterday. He was to have an MRI today to determine the extent of the damage -- and whether surgery will be required . . . Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior will start the season on the 15-day disabled list because of inflammation in his right Achilles' tendon. Prior has been throwing off the mound in spring training, but has not pitched in a Cactus League game. He was originally scheduled to start the team's third game of the season. Prior, 23, was 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA and 245 strikeouts in his first full big league season last year.
