Penny wise, pound foolish?

Penny wise, pound foolish?

I was shocked to read this morning in the New York Times piece, Uncertain Future Has Rivera Talking, that the Yankees have decided to let Mariano Rivera enter his walk year with any discussions about a contract extension.

What could be the possible reason for this decision? Has Mariano shown signs of slowing down? Is there a strong correlation between a closer’s age and his performance? Do the Yankee’s have a can’t-miss prospect waiting in the wings to take over the position for the league minimum? The answer to all of these questions is “NO.” Instead, it appears the Yankee’s have suddenly gone budget conscious.

As a life-long Red Sox fan, I’m elated by this news. Since he became the set-up man for John Wetland in the mid-90’s, Marino Rivera has been the one Yankee that I most feared. I’ve wished him ill, cursed the day he signed with the Yankees, and yelled some really nasty things at him from the back rows of Fenway during Game 4 of the 04 ALCS, but I have always respected him as the game’s best closer – by far.

Naturally, I was shocked at reading this morning’s article. How could the man who infamously signed Jared Wright to a big time deal have the gall to risk losing Marino Rivera? Obviously, Cashman still doesn’t understand value. After all, Rivera currently only gets 5% of the Yankee’s payroll, though he is clearly 1 or 2 on their most valuable list. Additionally, he’s not showing signs of slowing down: he’s pitched 70+ innings every year since ’99 except for ’02. In 06, his K to BB ratio was the best it’s been since 2001.

Add to all of this the fact that Rivera is likely to become the all time saves leader at some point in 08 or 09 and its unfathomable that the Yankees are risking losing him in the offseason to potentially save a million bucks of two. Here’s hoping he has a light’s out season (except when facing the Sox’s) and signs a huge contract with the Rangers next off-season.

That would teach Cashman about value!