Mariano Rivera writes in a new book released Tuesday that Dustin Pedroia would be his ultimate choice as a second baseman, adding that he doesn't think former teammate Robinson Cano "burns to be the best."
Rivera played with Cano for nine seasons with the New York Yankees.
The legendary closer's thoughts were revealed in excerpts of "The Closer" published in advance by the New York Daily News.
"This guy has so much talent I don't know where to start," Rivera writes of Cano. "... There is no doubt that he is a Hall of Fame caliber [player]. It's just a question of whether he finds the drive you need to get there. I don't think Robby burns to be the best. ... You don't see that red-hot passion in him that you see in most elite players."