![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHf87YqTNksQUqSTwkVNCODI59i8SembnBTiHuhXVFL69xvlxT9TWqxALBK2jMmBDcc58Zpl6zXmoN7Fb5oBP9H46irZlV_QKsWTecfvzgdypWIFnlviqOy6h9vmaQ_RdvXuDDeZn5fIha/s400/mosox.jpg)
Reports indicate that
the Red Sox had offered Yankee closer Mariano Rivera a three-year deal to sign with the Empire's arch rivals. Rivera eventually accepted a 2-year deal from the Pinstripe Posers. If the deal had gone through, Jonathan Papelbon would have been non-tendered. If nothing else, the Sox bid pushed the eventual cost of Rivera up for the Yankees—always a good result.