Nov 13, 2007 7:23 PM EST

Mariano Rivera was offered a $45 million, three-year contract to stay with the New York Yankees. Now, the team is waiting to hear back from its closer.

"He'd be by $4 million a year the highest-paid relief pitcher," Yankees' senior VP president Hank Steinbrenner said Tuesday. "To say that's a strong offer would be an understatement."

Via ESPN