Exit Sandman? A Yankee Nightmare

I wrote an article about the great Mariano Rivera that hopefully will be in the Kingsman next week, just a what if.

Then I read this today:

" Could players be saying the same thing about the Yankees closer one year from now? Rivera's commitment to the team expires after 2007, and while he said he would love to retire in New York, he realizes that scenario is not yet certain." - credit Yankees.com and my former editor at InsidePitch Magazine, Bryan Hoch.

I'll have more insight on spring training later. Listen to tonite's game on BrooklynCollegeRadio.org as the Bridges take on Albertus Magnus as a tune up for the playoffs.

Unreal. Could you imagine the Yankees without Mo? It's virtually impossible. Anyway, here's for some good reading, my article.

Many ask the question who could possibly replace Joe Torre after his tenure as manager of the Yankees. The hardest person to replace from the recent Yankees dynasty isn’t Bernie Williams, or Jorge Posada or even Derek Jeter. It is Rivera, the man who has killed the hope of opposing teams in the chaos of the ninth inning, before even throwing one pitch. His calm, stoic demeanor and the sight of him on the mound means only thing for the opposing team: game over.

Along with death and taxes, Rivera remains a constant in life. The 6’2, 180 pound slender right hander has racked up 413 saves and has been the epitome of consistency since his major league debut in 1995. His numbers last year were outstanding as usual – 5-5 with a 1.80 ERA, with 34 saves and an inhuman 0.90 walks and hits per inning. For the second consecutive year, was named DHL Delivery Man of the Year by the fans in October. October also happens to be the month that Rivera transforms from a great pitcher into an all-time legend. He’s 8-1 with 34 saves in the postseason and an unholy 0.80 ERA.

But as the Yankees enter spring training, the ever looming doubt of life after Mariano is a question that is whispered by the Yankee front office and the fans. The Yanks experienced this last season, with Rivera missing a ton of games down the stretch with tendonitis in his pitching forearm. Rivera is no spring chicken, 37-years-old with many miles on the valuable right arm of his. The thought of Kyle Farnsworth closing important games for the Yankees has to send a shiver down the collective spines of Torre and the rest of the Yankees. To be frank, there’s no one who can possibly replicate Rivera’s success and the unfortunate pitcher that must fill those large shoes of the Panamanian will always be unfairly compared to him.

Should Rivera go down this year, Farnsworth would be first in line to replace him. His stints as a closer has been mixed in the past and his stats for last season left much to be desired – 3-6 with a 4.35 ERA. Farnsworth inability to pitch on back to back also strained the bullpen more than it needed to be. Scott Proctor also had varying success when called on to close, although admittedly, instills more confidence in a fan than Farnsworth. Brian Bruney has closed in the past for the Diamondbacks and would also be a candidate in the future.

Long term solutions all look to be slim and mostly outside of the organization. Francisco Rodriguez, the fire balling closer for the Angels, would be an ideal fit to replace Rivera. K-Rod has the postseason experience and the chops for the big stage of New York. Outside of him, there aren’t many pitchers that can match the class of Rivera.

Of course, unless the Yankees cloned Rivera, there will not be another like him. The fact remains however, that the clock is ticking on Rivera and his time to leave the Yankees will have to replace him. It’s a cold reality that most Yankee fans don’t want to wake up too.