Is it possible that there won't be an exit for Mr. Sandman in 2013? According to various reports, New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi is planning to spend part of this offseason trying to convince Mariano Rivera to come back and close for the team in 2014.
Girardi told ESPN he was sure that his former-teammate could play for the team next year.
"I don't see any reason why he couldn't do it next year, I don't," Girardi told ESPN. "He's made it pretty clear that he doesn't want to [return], but I always say, you know, January rolls around and sometimes you have a different feel about what you want to do."
Rivera, who only played in nine games in 2012 due to injuring himself shagging fly balls prior to a game, insisted heading into the 2013 season that it would be his last, and has even gone on a farewell tour of sorts this season, receiving gifts at ballparks he's visiting for the last time in his career. While Girardi was quick to say that Rivera has more in the tank to come back for one more season in 2014, the legendary closer wasn't too quick to talk about it.
"I told you guys already. I don't know why we're talking about this. I've already made my decision [to retire at the end of the season]," Rivera said to the media per ESPN Tuesday night after earning his 40th save of the season against the Chicago White Sox.
Rivera, 43, was adamant coming into 2013 that his 19th campaign would be his last, and made it clear at his retirement press conference in March.
"I want to stay home, close the door and do what's next," Rivera said in March, according to ESPN.
Still Girardi wants to convince Rivera to make a return in 2014 as the closer recently tied Trevor Hoffman's all-time record by collecting 40 or more saves in nine seasons, showing he still has what it takes to perform at the major league level. This season, Rivera has 40 saves in 51 innings pitched and has struck out 46 hitters while keeping a modest 2.12 ERA in 54 games.
Rivera notching his 40th save of the year can be seen below:
"I'm sure I'll talk to him at some point in the offseason," Girardi said to ESPN, "and ... I'll tell him when the season's over, 'Take a month. Take a month and a half, two months, and make sure this is really what you want to do. Because once you do go, it's hard to come back.'"
Still, Rivera hasn't budged on his stance of leaving the majors for good after this year, and Girardi is sure that he will most likely retire but the manager still has plans to try and lead Rivera to a change of heart.
"I believe he's going to retire," Girardi said per ESPN. "But as I've said, sometimes when you're a player in the midst of a season and you're grinding it out, your mind is one thing, but when you get away for a couple of months and your body feels pretty good, your mind is another thing."
Rivera isn't looking to talk about next year, but the team hopes he'll make another legendary postseason save this year as the Yankees (74-64) sit in third place in the American League East, 8.0 games behind the first place Boston Red Sox, but are just 2.5 games behind their division-rival Tampa Bay Rays for the second wildcard spot in the final month of the season.
Rivera has a career ERA of 2.21 while compiling 1,165 strikeouts in 1,270.2 innings and a record 648 saves.
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