Rivera gets 3-year, $45 million offer

Mariano Rivera was offered a $45 million, three-year contract to stay with the Yankees, and now the team is waiting to hear back from its star closer.

"He'd be by $4 million a year the highest-paid relief pitcher," Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said. "To say that's a strong offer would be an understatement."

On Monday, the Yankees retained catcher Jorge Posada when they increased their offer to $52.4 million for four years. Posada is due to take a physical today, another step toward finalizing that agreement.

Rivera was allowed to start discussing money with other teams yesterday. Steinbrenner confirmed that the $45 million offer was made several days ago.

"The ball's in their court," Steinbrenner said. "If they still want to look for more somewhere else, that's up to them."

Steinbrenner wasn't concerned that Posada will be 40 when the deal expires.

"He's a catcher, but he can also later on be a DH," Steinbrenner said.

Mets target Torrealba

According to a report in Newsday, having lost out on Posada, the Mets are quickly trying to close a deal with Yorvit Torrealba, and an agreement could be reached by the end of this week.

Mets general manager Omar Minaya contacted Torrealba's agent yesterday with the intent of moving quickly, a National League official familiar with the situation told the paper.

Torrealba, the catcher of the NL champion Rockies, earned $1.075 million last season and Colorado reportedly has offered a two-year contract in the $7-million range.

The paper said the Mets do not want to be forced to pay what they believe is an inflated price for last season's catcher, Paul Lo Duca, a free agent.

Twins for Monroe

Outfielder Craig Monroe was acquired by the Twins from the Cubs for a player to be named. The 30-year-old hit .219 with 12 homers and 59 RBIs this year for the Tigers and the Cubs, who obtained him Aug. 23 after Detroit designated him for assignment. . . . The Royals sent pitcher Danny Christensen to Detroit to complete the trade that brought them righthander Roman Colon in midseason . . . After 18 years in baseball, John Allen resigned as the Reds' chief operating officer, effective the end of the year.