Mo, Yanks Seal One-Year Deal

Reuters / Ray Stubblebine

What birthday gift do you give to the man who has given you so much throughout the years? A cool 10 mil.

Today, on his 43rd birthday, Mariano Rivera and the Yankees reportedly sealed the deal on a one-year, $10 million contract that will bring Mo back as the closer for 2013. Just one day after the Yankees re-signed Andy Pettitte, Mo officially solidified the team's pitch staff.

Although his 2013 salary is less than the $15 million he was paid for the second year of his 2-year, $30 million contract for 2012, Bryan Hoch reports on yankees.com  that he will be able to make up the difference with incentives.

Mo missed most of the 2012 season after tearing a ligament in his right knee while catching fly balls during batting practice in May. Before the incident, he somewhat hinted to the media that 2012 would be his last season. After going down with the injury, he vowed to come back in 2013, if healthy.

Last month, WFAN's Mike Francesa said on "The Mike Francesa Show" that sources claimed Mo was actually moving back toward retiring, after having spent so much time in 2012 with his family. That rumor was put to rest when Mo announced in early November that he indeed intended on coming back.

It's way too early to speculate on how effective Mo could be for the team next year. What we can be certain of is that if healthy, he will continue to throw the fastball-cutter that has eluded pretty much every player he's ever pitched against. That, fanatics, should be enough.

Follow Rasheeda Cooper on twitter: @ra_cooper