Peter Abraham writes in his blog that based on adding up contracts of the various players that the Yankees have spent money on this winter, it comes out to a total of $408.4 million, not counting the $30 million Alex Rodriguez could receive in bonus payments or any potential contract Johan Santana gets if he is traded to the team.

The Yankees have spent a ton of money this winter. A-Rod ($275 million), Rivera ($45 million), Posada ($52.4), Molina ($4 million), Abreu ($16 million) and now Pettitte ($16 million).

Alex’s deal is reportedly front-loaded at $32 million for the first three years. At the moment, I have their 2008 payroll at $200.6 million.

That assume Cano and Wang would receive $4 million each. That $200.6 million figure accounts for only 16 players.

If they retain Vizcaino for $3 million and sign the other eight players for around the minimum, the Yankees are looking at a $207 million payroll.

Mariano Rivera agreed to sign a three-year, $45 million contract today, according to sources with knowledge of the situation, reports Mark Feinsand and Bill Madden at the New York Daily News.

Rivera’s agent, Fernando Cuza, informed the Yankees this afternoon.

The $15 million average salary will make Rivera the highest-paid closer in the game by more than $4 million per year over the Mets’ Billy Wagner.

According to the New York Post, closer Mariano Rivera is expected to accept the New York Yankees offer of 3-Years/$45 million early next week, making him the highest paid closing pitcher by $4 million.

Rivera, 37, was not his usual self last season, posting a 3-4 record and a 3.15 ERA. He converted 30 of 34 saves last season and now has 443 saves on the all-time saves list, good for 3rd overall.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that the sticking point with Mariano Rivera’s contract is he wants a fourth year added to the $15 million, 3-year deal the Yankees have on the table.

Rivera, who turns 38 on Nov. 29, was angered by Hank Steinbrenner referring to his age.

Alex Rodriguez will be 42 at the end of his proposed 10-year contract with the Yankees which is the same age that Rivera would be at the conclusion of a four-year deal.

The Yankees have reportedly offered Mariano Rivera $45 million over 3 years, according to Tyler Kepner of the New York Times. 

$15 million a year would be a record contract for a relief pitcher. Billy Wagner is making $10.5 per year on a contract he signed in 2005.

If that deal is accurate, there is no way Mariano leaves the Yankees. I don’t see how anyone can match that offer.

The clock strikes the witching hour and the deadline for teams to have exclusive negotiating rights has passed. The big deal last night was Jorge Posada returning to the Yankees with a 4 year, $52.4 million deal. Lets look at some of the players who are expected to reach the open market today.

• The Mets are not expected to make offers to Paul Lo Duca and Luis Castillo until they have a chance to look at other options such as Yorvit Torrealba, Jason Kendall, Orlando Hudson and David Eckstein.
• The Palm Beach Post reports that the Marlins are looking to upgrade over Miguel Olivo, and may join the Mets in kicking the tires on Lo Duca and Torrealba as well.
• The Red Sox were unable to reach an agreement with Mike Lowell before the deadline. They reportedly offered a three year deal. What happens with Lowell now will have implications on where Alex Rodriguez and Miguel Cabrera will land. The Dodgers, Angels, Yankees and Phillies have all expressed interest in Lowell.
• The Twins do not seem optimistic they can resign Torii Hunter. The Twins will have some tough decisions to make if Hunter leaves, including if they can afford to trade Johan Santana on top of losing Hunter and not have Twins fans marching in the streets looking for new GM Bill Smith’s head. The White Sox, Rangers, Nationals, Royals, Braves and Dodgers are believed to be interested in Hunter’s services.
• The most prized member of a weak free agent market for pitchers, Carlos Silva, is unlikely to receive an offer from the Twins and will likely be pursued by the Mets, Phillies, Angels, Royals, Tigers and Mariners.
• A number of relievers will hit the open market, barring some midnight madness. Scott Linebrink, Jeremy Affeldt, Ron Mahay, Eric Gagne and Francisco Cordero among the most notable names on the list.
• The Yankees have reportedly offered Mariano Rivera a three year, $40 million deal. At this time it appears that Rivera will be hitting the open market and is likely to be one of the most sought after free agents available. The Phillies were once thought to be interested in Rivera but with the addition of Brad Lidge that seems to be dead issue.

Newsday reports that the New York Yankees and reliever Mariano Rivera are close to completing a three-year deal worth $40 million.

Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News reports that closer Mariano Rivera will be meeting with the Yankees today to discuss keeping him in the Bronx. Rivera arrived at Legends field at roughly 12pm today. The Yankees are expected to offer Rivera a three-year deal worth approximately $40 million.

I don't normally like to talk about the Yankees here but I thought it was worth mentioning that the New York papers are finally taking notice of the potential of the Mets to have a special season. The type of season that puts them in the forefront of the city's consciousness. The type of season that turns the tide to a time when the Mets were the biggest, baddest team in New York. Kevin Kernan of The New York Post envisions the Mets becoming the talk of the two team town….

Read the entire article here.

David Wright has the right idea, from the NY Post, by way of Metsblog.com….

Wrights comments resonate with those of Davey Johnson, on the morning of February 26, 1986, the first day of mandatory spring training workouts. Davey gathered his troops and made the following declaration…

Davey's call to arms was more direct and had a hint of ego, calling out his main rival. Wright is beginning to exert his leadership in his own way. The common thread is that they both believe this is their year, and nothing will stop them from taking what is rightfully theirs.