Veteran relief pitcher Rafael Soriano has been sitting on the sideline so far in 2015, waiting to find the right team and opportunity before he pitches in the big leagues. The 35-year-old appears to be narrowing his choices down.
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Three Teams Aggressively After Soriano
Friday, June 5
According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, there are three teams aggressively after Soriano, with a possible deal coming before his workout June 11, per his agent, Alan Nero:
The St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs are always in competition with each other, and it's warranted this time. Both teams are over .500—the Cardinals own the best record in baseball—and they have playoff aspirations. The Toronto Blue Jays have a payroll over $125 million, per Cot's Baseball Contracts, but are desperate to find a life preserver with a 25-30 record.
The Cubs and the Blue Jays would have more incentive to sign Soriano, as they rank in the bottom 11 in bullpen ERA. The Cardinals could be seeking depth since their relievers rank second in all of baseball with a 2.11 ERA.
Soriano spent the previous two seasons pitching with the Washington Nationals. He had a 3.15 ERA and 75 saves in 132 games. His past experience in high-leverage situations and as a closer makes him a valuable asset as teams seek to upgrade their bullpen.
The Cardinals would present Soriano with the best chance to win a title this year, while the Cubs and the Blue Jays could tempt him with the allure of pitching in the closer's role that he won't get in St. Louis because of Trevor Rosenthal's presence.
Stats via ESPN.com.
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