Rivera could re-sign with Yankees very soon

New York Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera, right, celebrates with... — New York Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera, right, celebrates with catcher Jorge Posada after Rivera saved a 6-5 win over the Texas Rangers in Game 1 of baseball's American League Championship Series. (Oct. 15, 2010) Credit: AP

By ERIK BOLANDerik.boland@newsday.comDecember 2, 2010

Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner says fans shouldn't be concerned about the club's re-signing of Mariano Rivera.

"I think you can be pretty confident in Mo," Steinbrenner told The Associated Press last night. "We're looking good."

It's at the point that the sides could put the finishing touches on a two-year contract as soon as tonight.

Newsday reported Wednesday that the Yankees and Rivera, 41, who let them know in recent weeks that he was looking for a two-year contract, were closing in on an agreement. The Daily News reported last night that the deal would be for $30 million. Rivera just completed a three-year, $45-million deal.

SI.com reported that he was believed to have gotten three-year offers from the Angels, Red Sox and an unknown third team.

The Rivera negotiations have been overshadowed by Derek Jeter's, but all along, Rivera's figured to be the easier of the two. Missing from the Rivera talks was the public discourse accompanying Jeter's.

The Yankees have concerns about the decrease in Jeter's statistics last season, but there were no such issues with Rivera. He appeared in 61 games, posting a 1.80 ERA with 33 saves.

Brian Cashman said Nov. 11 that the first agent he talked to this offseason was Rivera's, Fernando Cuza. Rivera was asked that night if he thought the process of re-signing with the Yankee would be a quick one. "I hope so,'' he said. Now that day appears at hand.