No Contract Negotiations for Derek Jeter or Mariano Rivera...Yet

Are contract extensions on the horizon for free agents to be Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera? Not yet, says GM Brian Cashman:

When Brian Cashman looks at Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Joe Girardi, the Yankees’ GM paints his shortstop, closer and manager with the same brush.

And with spring training opening next week in Tampa, Cashman has no plans to stray from his plan of not negotiating with them. All three contracts are in the final year.

“I don’t think you can separate one from the other,” Cashman explained. “I am not saying they are the same, but the questions will come, ‘If you did one, why didn’t you do the other?’ If this was Kansas City, it would be different — but it’s not.”

I can't imagine Jeter or Rivera playing anywhere else so it's not like the Yankees HAVE TO get both guys signed right now. Eventually, both guys will sign and finish out their illustrious careers with the Yankees. No matter how Jeter and Rivera perform in 2010, I'm 100% confident that both guys will be back with the Yankees in 2011 and even though everyone expects Jeter and Rivera to return, the Yankees will handsomely pay both guys, especially if their respective 2010 performances mirror their 2009 seasons.