Report: Yankees will try to cut Rivera's pay
Mariano Rivera's five World Series rings carry only so much weight in the Bronx.
Even though Rivera is a New York Yankees legend and baseball's all-time saves king, the team is prepared to ask him to accept a large pay cut for 2013, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported Wednesday from the general mangers' meetings in Indian Wells, Calif.
Rivera made $15 million in 2012, but his season ended in May. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while shagging batting practice in the outfield at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City.
According to Heyman, a source said the Yankees can play hardball in negotiations with Rivera, knowing the 42-year-old veteran won't sign with another team even though he's a free agent this winter.
The Yankees got by without Rivera in the bullpen this season, as fill-in Rafael Soriano converted 42 saves in 46 opportunities. Soriano recently opted out of his contract, making him a free agent, too. The Yankees offered him a $13.3 million qualifying offer, but he is expected to seek a multiyear deal elsewhere.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman recently said Rivera's recovery was progressing smoothly, and that the right-hander should be ready for full workouts early in spring training.
Rivera has 608 career saves, a 76-58 record and a 2.21 ERA in 1,051 appearances. He went 1-1 with five saves and a 2.16 ERA in nine games this year.
