September 29, 2008
Rivera Under the Knife
Mariano Rivera undergoes shoulder surgery on Oct. 6th. As River Ave. Blues notes:
The Yanks doled out very large contracts last year to two players in their late 30s, and both suffered shoulder injuries this year. While Jorge Posada and Rivera both earned their deals and are, in a sense, getting paid for past accomplishments, I can't imagine the Yanks will give out too many more of these long deals to older players.
The only player really left in this category is Jeter, whose contract expires in two seasons. He'll be 36 at that point. It's tough for me to believe the Yankees won't keep him on the team somehow, especially if they can get Derek chasing Rose and A-Rod chasing Bonds at the same time. A short term guarantee with revolving team options (think Tim Wakefield) might be more appropriate at that point.
Posted by David Pinto at
12:49 PM
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I can see the argument being made when considering Posada, but does it really hold water with Mariano? He had arguably his best season and he's projected to be ready by Spring Training, even with the surgery. Unless he's horrible next year, you really can't complain about his contract.
I just noticed Mariano Rivera is #4 on the James/Neyer AL Cy Young Predictor. He has delivered for his employer as well or better than ever all year including getting 4 outs yesterday in order. My understanding is his surgery is arthroscopic which is nothing like Posada's, the latter who in fact did cost the team a lot this entire season. The 2 situations are not comparable whatsoever.
Jeter needs 200 hits per season for the next 8 and a half seasons to challenge Rose. I suppose it's possible, but do you really see a 42 year old Jeter getting 200 hits???
It's unlikely, but then again, so were Cobb's and Rose's careers. It seems someone is going to reach that level every 30 or 40 years, why not Jeter?
I agree, Susan, they aren't comparable. Rivera's surgery is indeed with the arthroscope rather than the 'knife', which makes recovery time much shorter. And the word is he was pitching in pain all season. Which makes you wonder how good he would have been if he hadn't been in pain.
By the way, he *would* have got four outs yesterday in order, but as a matter of fact an E6 intervened, so he faced an extra batter.
I would note that there have been pitchers who went in for a simple procedure and ended up with more complicated work. Rivera has a lot of pitches on that arm, and the doctors may find more than they expect.
Sure, *may*. Agreed.
And Josh Beckett *may* have a lot of trouble with his oblique, too.
The Sox overpaid! They gave Beckett too many years!
I'm pulling for A-rod, but not for Jeter.