Yankees Agree to One-Year Deal With Closer Mariano Rivera

Yankees all-time saves leader is back

The New York Yankees have agreed on a one year contract with longtime closer Mariano Rivera for the 2013 season. The deal is worth a reported $10 million guaranteed with extra performance and awards incentives.

The  future Hall of Famer underwent surgery to repair his ACL in June of this past season. Rivera vowed to come back for the 2013 season following the injury.

“I’m coming back,” Rivera said. “Write it down in big letters. I’m not going down like this. God willing and given the strength, I’m coming back.”

The Yankees and Rivera had been working on a deal that would return the Yankees closer to the team for his 19th season in the big leagues. Rivera has 608 career saves and is still recovering from surgery.

Rafael Soriano took over for Rivera last year and recorded 42 saves for the Yankees in 2012. Soriano opted out of his contract in hopes of securing a multi-deal in free agency. The Yankees have now signed Hiroki Kuroda, Andy Pettitte, Ichiro Suzuki and Rivera this off-season.