Mariano Rivera

The Yankees have been doing a lot of waiting this offseason. They waited for Cliff Lee to choose his team. They waited for Derek Jeter to accept their offer. Then they stayed put a while too long and lost out on Zach Greinke. Now they await a decision from Andy Pettitte as to whether or not he will pitch in 2011. 

It's been a disappointing offseason for the New York Yankees. Normally a lock to sign the best free agents available, the Yankees whiffed on Cliff Lee, despite having the larger offer. Reliever Kerry Wood then signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Chicago Cubs, leaving a big hole in the Yankees' bullpen.

As the Derek Jeter contract negotiations degenerated into a very public he-said, she-said battle of egos, Mariano Rivera and his representation quietly went about the business of re-upping with the only team he has ever known.

The two sides soon agreed on a two-year, $30 million deal, the news made official via press release. Apparently, an awkward press conference where the player appeared to be wondering if he could choke his GM to death and get away with it was deemed unnecessary.

George Steinbrenner was more than a mere baseball mogul. For better or worse, his time at the top of the New York Yankees ladder changed the game forever. During the latter years of the Steinbrenner era, as the landscape became the free market free-for-all Steinbrenner so encouraged during the first two decades of free agency, the Yankees became a symbol, an empire that ruled baseball with an iron (golden) fist.

Answering the Red Sox's acquisition of Adrian Gonzalez, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera have officially re-signed with the New York Yankees. 

The New York Yankees and Derek Jeter have reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth about $51 million.

There is also an option for a fourth year that is worth less than the $17 million that he will earn on average for the first three years of the deal.

According to Sweeney Murti of WFAN, there are many elements that will determine the final number for the option in Jeter's deal.

Courtesy of Yankees 'n More

Everybody knows the New York Yankees have their hearts set on adding lefty ace Cliff Lee this offseason, perhaps as early as the winter meetings next week. Of late, however, there has been a lot of talk about the interest being shown by the Bronx Bombers in free agent outfielder Carl Crawford.

It is being reported that the Yankees captain and shortstop will re-sign with the only team he has ever known.

Jeter will re-sign with New York for three years anywhere between $45-51 million with a potential fourth year in place, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

It’s about time the two parties were able to come to some sort of agreement.

The hot stove is just starting to warm, and the Red Sox are making headlines alongside their rival Yankees. Not only are the Red Sox somewhat in the running for Cliff Lee (more likely just to up the price), they apparently were in the Mariano Rivera race. Whereas the Yankees invited captain Derek Jeter to test the free agent market, they made no such indications with Rivera, and for this exact reason.

Other than the back and forth bickering about Derek Jeter through media outlets, the New York Yankees had been fairly quiet this offseason. Sure, they have been talking with free agent right-hander Cliff Lee, but we all expected that.

Outside of those topics, the Yankees remained quiet, until now. The hot stove is official heating up in New York.