Mariano Rivera and the New York Yankees could have a new deal in place by the end of this week.  According to Andrew Marchand of ESPN New York, the Yankees are hopeful they can re-sign the long-tim closer before next week's winter meetings.  The winter meetings start on December 3rd and go through December 6th.

Rivera, 43, contemplated retirement not too long ago.  He has been recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee, and while he initially vowed his return from the injury, life without baseball started to settle in.  However, after consideration, Rivera told Yankees' GM Brian Cashman he would be back.


Rivera injured his knee in May while shagging fly balls during batting practice before a game against the Kansas City Royals.  He went down on the warning track at Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium.  He had to be carried off the field and all who saw the incident knew the injury was bad.  And it was.  Rivera missed the rest of the 2012 season, and his return to baseball was in doubt.  Now, it seems clear that Rivera will be back, but his effectiveness will be unknown until we see him on the mound.

Marchand says the Yankees are expected to sign Rivera to a one-year deal as long as they can come to an agreement on salary.  It will likely be Rivera's last season, and he is expected to retire after 2013.
Follow @mlbinjurynews