Yankees also need to address A-Rod, Rivera, Posada

By Jon Heyman, SI.com

NEW YORK -- Yankee manager Joe Torre is going to have to wait a few more days before learning his fate, perhaps even through the weekend.

The Yankees' brass is in the process of arranging a high-powered meeting in which the club's top decision-makers will consider the cases of Torre, as well as three star players: Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada.

The big sitdown, which would take place in Tampa, Fla., could happen as early as Friday. More likely, it will wait until early next week. The reason for the delay isn't known.

People close to the situation believe George Steinbrenner will let Torre go. Yankees icon and bench coach Don Mattingly is said to be the most likely replacement, but no decision has been made yet, club people stress.

Steinbrenner is said to have the final say-so, though he will listen to input from a coterie of high-ranking officials, including sons Hank and Hal Steinbrenner, plus general manager Brian Cashman.

People familiar with the Yankees' thinking say they will make every effort to retain Rodriguez, Rivera and Posada. A-Rod, who has an opt-out clause in his contract, is believed to be seeking a deal for $300 million over 10 years, and no easy resolution is expected before Nov. 10. If he opts out, Yankees people have said they will not compete in negotiations with other teams, meaning he'd be gone.

The Yankees tried to begin negotiations with Rodriguez in July, but the player responded that he wanted to wait until after the season. The Yankees decided to wait on Rivera and Posada.