Posted By:
Al C.risafulliDone?
He's getting older, yes, but he's not done.
Rivera blew 4 saves this year. That's fewer than Joe Borowski (8), Francisco Rodgriguez (6), Bobby Jenks (6), Todd Jones (6), Jeremy Accardo (5), Jose Valverde (7), Francisco Cordero (7), Trevor Hoffman (7), Chad Cordero (9), Billy Wagner (5), and David Weathers (6). Of all the closers in the majors with 30 saves or more this year, only a few blew fewer saves.
And while Rivera's 3.15 ERA was the highest of his career, he essentially had 5 or 6 bad outings this season - a few bunched up at the beginning of the year and a few more at the end.
Granted, he had an off-year. But I wouldn't consider him done.
When the Yankees wise up and decide that they shouldn't be grooming Joba to be a starting pitcher, I would imagine you'll see Rivera closing games for one more year, and then moving into a setup role in 2009 with Joba as the closer. Rivera wants to pitch at the new Yankee Stadium, so I don't see him going anywhere.
-Al