The Yankees have been a very active team this offseason.

They’ve been working hard to re-sign Derek Jeter, waiting to hear on Andy Pettitte’s 2011 decision and negotiating to bring in Cliff Lee.

While they continue to do both of those, they were able to bring back the most dominant closer in the game today.

Mariano Rivera will re-sign with the Yankees on Friday to a two-year deal worth about $30 million, according to New York Daily News‘ Christian Red.

Rivera was originally looking for a two-year deal to begin with and there were reports that the Yankees were originally looking to only give him a one-year contract.

According to Sports Illustrated‘s Jon Heyman, that all changed when two rival teams offered Rivera a three-year deal for more money.

Heyman said that the two rival teams ended up being the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels,

Rivera never had any intent to leave the Yankees, and it showed with him accepting less money and years to stay with the only team that he has ever called home.

At age 40 in the 2010 season, Rivera showed no signs of slowing down, posting a 1.80 ERA and 33 saves.

Next season, Rivera has a chance to possibly hit the 600-saves mark, which he is currently 41 away from at 559.

Trevor Hoffman is currently the all-time leader at 601 saves and his status for 2011 is up in the air, so there’s a good possibility that Rivera could have a chance to become the all-time saves leader by the time his two-year deal is up.

Many Yankee fans can breathe a good sigh of relief today, because getting Rivera back for another two years was just as important as them trying to re-sign Jeter and Pettitte and trying to sign Lee.

Since the Yankees have yet to figure out who will be the next heir to Rivera’s spot, they won’t have to worry about that at least until after the 2012 season.

While the baseball hot stove continues to burn, Yankees Universe can enjoy the fact that they will continue to be hearing “Enter Sandman” for two more seasons in Yankee Stadium.

Although the negotiations for Rivera were very quiet, this was a very important signing that the Yankees took care of.

Now they can continue their efforts to bring back Jeter and Pettitte and bring in Lee.

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