Joe Girardi was in meeting with Mariano Rivera and his agent today---NEWSDAY

"Girardi was already at work before a release announcing his hiring was sent out. According to a person informed of the situation,

• Girardi's first task was to be part of a group that met with Mariano Rivera at Legends Field in Tampa. Rivera and his agent, Fernando Cuza, arrived separately at the complex shortly before noon, and were there less than two hours.

On his way in, Rivera told the Associated Press: "We've got to see something today." Apparently that something was a new Yankees manager. The Steinbrenners (owner George and sons Hank and Hal), general manager Brian Cashman and president Randy Levine were all there for the meeting, along with Girardi. Sources indicated that the meeting broke up quite amicably."

• From Newsday article by Kat O'Brien and Ken Davidoff, "Yankees Hire Girardi, Meet With Closer Rivera," 10/30/07

(During today's press conference Girardi said he'd be active in reaching out to Yankee free agents, but declined to name any of them).

• UPDATE: NY Post's George King notes on 10/31/07:
• "The 37-year-old Rivera has never hid his affection for being a Yankee and in the past
• that has hurt his bargaining power."

From NY Post article by George King, "Rivera, Yanks Talking New Contract," 10/31/07 P.S. I've noted this before, though it should be obvious. Therefore, Rivera has been underpaid and has in fact held down the market for relievers--as high as it now is, it would be higher. sm

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