SUNDAY, 10:29am: Bob Dutton reports that Soria gets $8MM guaranteed with a chance to earn $32MM. There are accelerator clauses included to cover a possible move to the rotation.
SATURDAY, 10:11pm: Royals closer Joakim Soria signed a three-year contract extension with an additional three option years tonight. The terms are not yet known.
Soria, 24 years old tomorrow, would’ve been arbitration-eligible starting with the 2010 season. Assuming the contract starts in ’09, it appears to buy out two arb years with an option on the last. Then the Royals have options on two free agent seasons. If Soria’s deal is similar to that of Manny Corpas, Soria might get around $7MM guaranteed for the 2009-11. I’m sure we’ll know soon enough.
Soria’s lights-out start to the ’08 season seems to demonstrate improvement upon his fine rookie year. Will the Royals try him in the rotation one of these years? Also, are they discussing extensions with Zack Greinke or Brian Bannister? Nothing has been reported yet.
