The Yankees are moving closer to signing Ruben Rivera to a minor league deal, with an eye on seeing if he can help them upgrade center field defensively when the rosters expand next month. "It is something I will probably do," GM Brian Cashman said of signing the 31-year-old Rivera to a minor league contract. "I am not opposed to it. His season is over and he is free." Before Cashman can predict where he would send Rivera (likely Triple-A Columbus), the outfielder needs to secure a work visa, which shouldn't be a problem. Rivera spent this year playing for the Campeche Pirates in the Mexican League, where he batted .342 (102-for-298) with 21 homers and 71 RBIs. He was released from his Campeche contract recently. "I am going to pursue it and see what happens," Cashman said. Rivera could be a defensive upgrade over Bernie Williams, Tony Womack and Bubba Crosby if he is the same outfielder the Yankees had in spring training camp 2002. Of course, that was the year he was cut after swiping a Derek Jeter bat from Jeter's locker and selling it for $2,500.