Yankees Expect Mariano Rivera to Retire in 2013

Yankees are expecting some bad news...as if they haven't had enough lately. 

Ace closer Mariano Rivera is set to announce on Saturday that he plans to retire after the season, according to ESPN. 

The 12-time All-Star had been courting the idea of retirement since missing all but 9 games with a season ending torn ACL. Throughout his seventeen seasons with the Mariners, Rangers, and Yankees, he has not only raised the bar for championship performances, but also the position of closer. 

Rivera is scheduled to make the official announcement during a press conference prior to his spring training debut against the Atlanta Braves. In what will be marked with great fanfare in New York and beyond, the closer will attempt to add to his already Hall of Fame stats of 608 career saves. For those keeping tabs, that's more than all active or retired players. Trevor Hoffman (retired) has 601 saves. The closest active player is Jason Isringhausen with 308. 

The aging Yankees will need Rivera to go out with a bang as the team is no longer the sure fire contender they once were. Third baseman Alex Rodriguez is currently rehabbing from hip surgery and is expected to be out until at least June. There's also an HGH scandal that he may be involved in, which could result in him missing much, if not all of the season. First baseman Mark Teixiera recently injured his wrist, which will cause him to be out until May. Shortstop Derek Jeter is scheduled to make his spring debut as early as this weekend, but even that's not written in stone. 

Even Yankees off the field may need hazard pay with general manager Brian Cashman breaking his ankle earlier this week while skydiving. The Yankees exec recently needed a plate and eight screws inserted into his ankle, but recently stated "I feel surprisingly good. I'm not moving very well. I have no pain, which is surprising."

If the Yankees can send Rivera off properly with a trip to the playoffs, now that would be surprising.