Alex Rodriguez gives ultimate compliment to Yankees legend Mariano Rivera

The dominance of the New York Yankees during the late 1990s until the early part of the 2010s was unprecedented. From 1995 to 2007, the Bronx Bombers appeared in the MLB postseason. Under legendary skipper Joe Torre, who served as the manager from 96 to 07, the team always made the playoffs.

Torre's mind paired with the emergence of the "Core Four," which included Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera, led the team to four World Series titles. Alex Rodriguez's arrival in 2004 further boosted the power of the squad.

In an Instagram story on Thursday, Rodriguez remembered a time when the hot stove was in full swing and both he and Mariano Rivera were extended by the Yankees. Posting a picture of them together, "A-Rod" wrote:

"With my guy. The GOAT of GOATS."

Rodriguez was all praises for Mariano Rivera (credit: arod/Instagram)

Rodriguez calling Rivera "the GOAT of GOATS" means he considers the righty pitcher the greatest among all greats. A-Rod's post was a throwback to the end of the 2007 season when Rivera was awarded the richest contract for a reliever at the time with a three-year, $45 million deal.

In addition, Rodriguez was also given an extension by the Yankees. A-Rod's 10-year, $275 million deal was then the biggest contract for an athlete in American sports history. It was also in the same offseason where the Bombers tendered an extension to Posada (four years, $52.4 million) and Pettitte (one year, $16 million).

Yankees make a splash in 2024 offseason

The New York Yankees wasted no time in this year's hot stove. After Juan Soto and closer Clay Holmes chose to sign with the New York Mets, general manager Brian Cashman made a series of big-name moves to fill the hole Soto left and improve the positions where the team was lacking.

The organization's front office started by trading for Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams in exchange for pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. and second baseman Caleb Durbin. The righty closer has won the NL Reliever of the Year twice and is a two-time All-Star.

The Bombers followed it up by signing Atlanta Braves starter Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million deal, which was the biggest ever given to a lefty. Fried's signing is a welcome sight for the already strong starting rotation of the squad. The lefty will immediately slot in behind ace Gerrit Cole in the team's pitching order.

Finally, Cashman's most surprising move was signing former NL MVP Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs. Bellinger was traded for Cody Poteet and cash considerations as he looks to revive his stagnating career. Bellinger's flexibility to play in the outfield and first base makes perfect sense for the Yankees, as those positions are the ones where they need the most help.