Am curious if he even pitches at the major (or minor) league level again. heart problems, arm problems and now drunken driver problems. he has a superb portfolio going forward.
Soriano’s deal is bad because player options usually tend to be worth more than the player is. I mean the player can’t lose.
TLB2001
Soria has expressed a willingness to come back at greatly discounted rate. I wouldn’t be surprised if they actually reach an agreement before the season is over, rendering the option moot. He’ll be a Royal next year, but not for $8 million.
Otis26
Totally agree. Not sure they’ll get a deal done before the off-season though. I expect the Royals will exercise the buy-out then come to terms after the season ends. No need to rush.
Royals should move on and prove they are one of the smart money management teams. Soria has been going downhill for a couple of years and they have a lot of good young arms. Forget this loyalty crap. Same with the Yankees and Rivera. Just run out the clock do some good PR but say goodbye quietly.
Otis26
Have you considered that the reason Soria hasn’t been doing as well is that he was having elbow problems?
And as far as ‘loyalty crap’, I wouldn’t dismiss it. The Royals will be able to sign Soria on the cheap because he wants to pitch there. They won’t pay him $8 million as even he has said he wants to come back.
Yeah, I could have phrased that a little bit better.
Mikenmn
Unless Soriano emerges as a closer for the balance of this year, I can’t imagine them wanting to spend that kind of money on a set-up man. This is situation is actually an interesting face off on an opt out contract. Soriano devalued himself last year and needs to re-establish himself. If he has a great year, Boras will want him to opt out to cash in. If he doesn’t, Boras will hope the last year of his contract will be a well-paid “pillow” year where Soriano does get it back together.
bearman44
You forgot to mention Brandon League. He’s a free agent after the 2012 season.
MTwain
Yeah, it was kind of a surprising omission.
deeco3307
Closer “Options” for 2013 was the title. Not Free Agent Closers for 2013
MTwain
How funny. I didn’t notice it was that kind of “option”.
Brett Myers for Soriano is the best move for the Yankees. Both get paid starter money, but Myers has both starter and closer experience and would pay dividends in the Yankees bullpen in long relief and Soariano would immediately become Houston’s closer. This would make Robertson the obvious choice to close in NY (as if it wasn’t already the best decision for NY to make.) Rivera is done! Loyalty or not the Yankees cannot allow him to come back as their closer. They cannot remove Robertson from the closer roll in favour of the unknown. If they do, you can chalk it up on the list of “failed developmental opprotunities” involving Yankees’ pitchers.
tmengd
Why in the world would the Astros want Soriano? They are trying to get younger not older. They would prefer to keep Myers anyways over him anyways because of his good chemestry with the young guys.
That being said there are teams out there that are going to be willing to give up top prospects at the trade deadline for a Myers type, since a ton of closers are getting hurt this year and he has a proven trade record in pressure playoffs situations. So he will be traded to an Orioles,Red Sox,Giants type team that might be in the playoff hunt in need of an arm.
Too Many Idiots
Glad to see you’re such an expert on medical injuries. I’ll call Rivera and tell him not to bother with rehabbing his knee.
sdhitman19
There is no way San Diego will even think about picking up Street’s 9 million option, especially with Cashner sitting there. The Street injury and the Padres poor start provides management with the luxury to gauge the effectiveness of Cashner. If they like what they see, then the oft injured Street will be sent packing sooner rather than later.
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johnsilver
You forgot to mention Bobby Jenks Dan 🙂 whenever he gets over his health issues, legal issues etc…
Dan Mennella
Haha. No option for Billy Goat, though.
johnsilver
Ah yes.. How unfortunate.. For Jenks that is..
Am curious if he even pitches at the major (or minor) league level again. heart problems, arm problems and now drunken driver problems. he has a superb portfolio going forward.
rfffr
Soriano’s deal is bad because player options usually tend to be worth more than the player is. I mean the player can’t lose.
TLB2001
Soria has expressed a willingness to come back at greatly discounted rate. I wouldn’t be surprised if they actually reach an agreement before the season is over, rendering the option moot. He’ll be a Royal next year, but not for $8 million.
Otis26
Totally agree. Not sure they’ll get a deal done before the off-season though. I expect the Royals will exercise the buy-out then come to terms after the season ends. No need to rush.
KyleB
Looks like a lot of health risks at closer on this list.
Patrick
Royals should move on and prove they are one of the smart money management teams. Soria has been going downhill for a couple of years and they have a lot of good young arms. Forget this loyalty crap. Same with the Yankees and Rivera. Just run out the clock do some good PR but say goodbye quietly.
Otis26
Have you considered that the reason Soria hasn’t been doing as well is that he was having elbow problems?
And as far as ‘loyalty crap’, I wouldn’t dismiss it. The Royals will be able to sign Soria on the cheap because he wants to pitch there. They won’t pay him $8 million as even he has said he wants to come back.
Patrick
If the Yankees pick up this option on Soriano for 2013 it will be the worst decision in several years. Get serious.
stl_cards16
“player option”
Dan Mennella
Yeah, I could have phrased that a little bit better.
Mikenmn
Unless Soriano emerges as a closer for the balance of this year, I can’t imagine them wanting to spend that kind of money on a set-up man. This is situation is actually an interesting face off on an opt out contract. Soriano devalued himself last year and needs to re-establish himself. If he has a great year, Boras will want him to opt out to cash in. If he doesn’t, Boras will hope the last year of his contract will be a well-paid “pillow” year where Soriano does get it back together.
bearman44
You forgot to mention Brandon League. He’s a free agent after the 2012 season.
MTwain
Yeah, it was kind of a surprising omission.
deeco3307
Closer “Options” for 2013 was the title. Not Free Agent Closers for 2013
MTwain
How funny. I didn’t notice it was that kind of “option”.
Rudy Kevak
Brett Myers for Soriano is the best move for the Yankees. Both get paid starter money, but Myers has both starter and closer experience and would pay dividends in the Yankees bullpen in long relief and Soariano would immediately become Houston’s closer. This would make Robertson the obvious choice to close in NY (as if it wasn’t already the best decision for NY to make.) Rivera is done! Loyalty or not the Yankees cannot allow him to come back as their closer. They cannot remove Robertson from the closer roll in favour of the unknown. If they do, you can chalk it up on the list of “failed developmental opprotunities” involving Yankees’ pitchers.
tmengd
Why in the world would the Astros want Soriano? They are trying to get younger not older. They would prefer to keep Myers anyways over him anyways because of his good chemestry with the young guys.
That being said there are teams out there that are going to be willing to give up top prospects at the trade deadline for a Myers type, since a ton of closers are getting hurt this year and he has a proven trade record in pressure playoffs situations. So he will be traded to an Orioles,Red Sox,Giants type team that might be in the playoff hunt in need of an arm.
Too Many Idiots
Glad to see you’re such an expert on medical injuries. I’ll call Rivera and tell him not to bother with rehabbing his knee.
sdhitman19
There is no way San Diego will even think about picking up Street’s 9 million option, especially with Cashner sitting there. The Street injury and the Padres poor start provides management with the luxury to gauge the effectiveness of Cashner. If they like what they see, then the oft injured Street will be sent packing sooner rather than later.