Yanks, Posada agree to deal

By Jon Heyman, SI.com

NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees and Jorge Posada reached agreement late Monday on a four-year, $52.4 million deal that will keep the catcher with the only major league team he's every played for, SI.com has confirmed.

The Yankees and star reliever Mariano Rivera were also in discussions on a three-year contract believed to be worth about $42 million.

New York had hoped to re-sign both players before Tuesday, when free agents could start talking money with all clubs, but it appears the Rivera talks could take a few more days.

Posada, a five-time All-Star who is 36, had said Sunday he was "really close" to an agreement with the Yankees and his preference was to remain with the Yankees. He must pass a physical before the contract is finalized.

Posada's $13.1 million average salary becomes the highest for a catcher, topping the $10 million Detroit's Ivan Rodriguez and Boston's Jason Varitek currently are guaranteed and the $13 million Mike Piazza averaged under his contract with the New York Mets from 1999-05. Rodriguez will earn $13 million next year, the option season of his contract with the Tigers.

Rivera, an eight-time All-Star, was in the Dominican Republic on Monday. Rivera, who turns 38 on Nov. 29, said earlier Monday if he couldn't reach a deal with New York, he would consider following manager Joe Torre to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The closer is expected to receive a three-year contract.

General manager Brian Cashman said re-signing the pair are his top priorities right now.

Senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said the Yankees still were trying to gauge what the Florida Marlins might want in a trade for All-Star third baseman Miguel Cabrera, who is being made available.

"We got a couple ideas, what they might be asking for, and it's a lot," Steinbrenner said. "I don't know what's going to happen there, but there's still plenty of time on that."

It's also far too early to determine whether the Minnesota Twins will attempt to trade two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana, who can become a free agent after next season. Steinbrenner said the Yankees certainly would speak with the Twins if he becomes available.

"I think somebody would be foolish to say they have no interest in Santana," he said, "but it depends. It depends on what they're looking for."