Even with his second half struggles last year and having Boras as his agent until recently, I’m surprised it took Soriano this long to find a deal. He wasn’t offered arbitration, was he? I imagine he would have taken that offer if so.
Rally Weimaraner
You can’t offer FA’s arbitration anymore. That system was replaced by the QO system.
David Rosario
Boras is no longer his agent. My guess is Boras was asking for a good chunk of change and a guarantee of the closers job.
Will Jl.
Well good thing is we don’t have to worry about him fading down the stretch
Encarnacion's Parrot
His second-half stats weren’t that bad if you drill into them. He had a couple rough outings that skewed those numbers. Almost all relievers have this happen.
willi
Anytime you have Ben( The Jet ) Revere hit an Home Run off you to Lose a Game, its time to STAY at the House!
Encarnacion's Parrot
Only a minor-league deal? Yikes. Figured some team would offer a MLB deal.
Cubbiejack
Agreed
Trock
Yay???
Alex Kokonas
Can we convince Soriano to wear #12?
scann
Yankee’s what happened???
Dynasty22
FINALLY!
How do I claim the free agent contest prizes? 😉
Steve 40
Yuck…no thank you. Supposedly not a good clubhouse guy and I don’t care for his demeanor on the field. Picky? Maybe, but I like to root as much for the guys on the team as much as the team itself. Not this guy. One of the few moves Epstein and company have made I don’t really care for. Sometimes the best moves you make are the ones you don’t.
redseanation
Let’s see how well he pitches first. I’m not a huge fan of this move but let’s cut Theo n company some slack, at least until we see him in action. He is a vet and that is huge in late inning, pressure situations (usually).
calicub
Soriano played for Maddon during some of his best career years. I think it’s safe to say Epstein & Co. know exactly what they’re getting themselves into.
Te Stone
As a Nats fan, I can say there were no such reports of clubhouse issues. The. issues were all on the field. He didn’t miss many bats and definitely faded down the stretch….
The part that bugged me was the stupid untucking after completing a save, even when the save involved a couple of walks, followed by a tight rope walk and ending with someone having to make a miraculous play in the field to end the game…
Rays_Fan_Engima
Well, he wasn’t a bad clubhouse guy for the Rays, he worked really well with Maddon
DrRamblings
Good gamble. If he doesn’t work out..not much lost. If they can catch lightening in a bottle…++ move for them.
NickGarren
this move helps…he’ll be called up in a week
Christopher A. Otto
And there goes any inkling of a notion that the Phillies had leverage in talks with Chicago.
willi
If the guy was any Good , he wouldn’t have had to wait this long for a MLB Team to buy him up. Cubs are gambling that he does not lose the BIG Game for them that gets them in the playoffs for year ! Chump Money Deal, they have nothing to lose , but more games , and the Playoff chance.
Sleeper
Boras must have been demanding a major league deal for him, because this is a pretty good sized contract.
mychiefs58
if he struggled late, perhaps signing in june will mitigate that problem.
redseanation
Best option available. This way there is no trading away of future key pieces. Not like this guy cost the farm either. I still think Neil R. would of really helped lock down this bullpen. I wonder how Grimm would do in the closer role?
Cubbiejack
WOHOO!
dankane
Can’t hurt. I wonder if this ends the Papelbon to Chicago idea…
Bill Scripture
As a Cubs fan, let’s hope so.
Mikenmn
It makes some sense. He shows what he can do (whatever that is) in the minors. If he still has something left in the tank, he will be up quickly, and his prorated MLB salary (around $2.8-ish if he’s up?) If he’s into incentive land because of good performance, they will flip him. If not, the total spend isn’t that much.
jb226 2
Eh, why so quick to assume the Cubs sell? They’re the second Wild Card team in the NL right now and on pace to win about 88 games. If he’s doing well and up into incentive land, it probably means the team is too.
jb226 2
We certainly need the help in the bullpen, hopefully he can provide it. Would have liked to see a smaller guarantee though.
willi
And if he doesn’t ! Then the Cubbies have to pay thru the Nose for Chapman. Paps would have solved this problem for the Cubs a long time ago, same with Hamels they are losing games that they can be winning and insuring the Playoff Spot, over a couple of maybe prospects
Hi
Am I crazy in thinking a pen of Soriano, Rondon, Motte, Strop, Russell, Grimm, and Edwin Jackson in long relief to be pretty good? Also Ramirez should be back soon. And Id be surprised if CJ Edwards doesn’t eventually
Jose Roberto
CJ Edwards doesn’t exist anymore. He is now Carl Edwards Jr.
Rays_Fan_Engima
Not so much Edwin, but they do have upside
willywater88
I hope these players start realizing how Boras screws up a good amount of times. Boras probably said to Soriano, “don’t worry, we will let the market develop and I’ll get you Papelbon money”. They need to start a Yelp for sports agents.
Nick Eltzroth
I think that this could be a good sign for the Cubs because Soriano has been a closer and has been dominate for other teams. I think the Cubs could still use another starter because Wood and Wada are not getting in done as the fifth starter. If Soriano can return to form he had just a few seasons ago then the Cubs got a steal of a sign because he was lights out but that is definitely up in the air after the way he has been the past 12 months or so.
Rays_Fan_Engima
They usually report it with the headline ” To a Minor League Deal”
slider32
I think the Cubs still have a big move left with the Phillies before the deadline for either Papelbon or Hamels or both. The Phillies get Castro, Almora, Edwards, and Sczuzr.
willi
Exchange Schwarer for Almora and Baez for Sczurr, deal gets done!
slider32
No way, your getting the Cubs top 2 prospects and Castro.
willi
And you the Cubs are getting a Cheap All-Star Pitcher with a Ton of Playoff experience and an All-Star Closer that’s better than anything you have For Two Maybes and Question Mark in Castro.
Leftover_stew
I didn’t know RAJ was an MLBTR reader.
Jeff Jones
With the Phillies rumored willing to eat a good portion of Howards contract, get a third team involved (AL). Package McKinney, Castro, Vogelbach and mid level prospects.
Comments for this post have been closed by the site administrator.
letsgogiants
Even with his second half struggles last year and having Boras as his agent until recently, I’m surprised it took Soriano this long to find a deal. He wasn’t offered arbitration, was he? I imagine he would have taken that offer if so.
Rally Weimaraner
You can’t offer FA’s arbitration anymore. That system was replaced by the QO system.
David Rosario
Boras is no longer his agent. My guess is Boras was asking for a good chunk of change and a guarantee of the closers job.
Will Jl.
Well good thing is we don’t have to worry about him fading down the stretch
Encarnacion's Parrot
His second-half stats weren’t that bad if you drill into them. He had a couple rough outings that skewed those numbers. Almost all relievers have this happen.
willi
Anytime you have Ben( The Jet ) Revere hit an Home Run off you to Lose a Game, its time to STAY at the House!
Encarnacion's Parrot
Only a minor-league deal? Yikes. Figured some team would offer a MLB deal.
Cubbiejack
Agreed
Trock
Yay???
Alex Kokonas
Can we convince Soriano to wear #12?
scann
Yankee’s what happened???
Dynasty22
FINALLY!
How do I claim the free agent contest prizes? 😉
Steve 40
Yuck…no thank you. Supposedly not a good clubhouse guy and I don’t care for his demeanor on the field. Picky? Maybe, but I like to root as much for the guys on the team as much as the team itself. Not this guy. One of the few moves Epstein and company have made I don’t really care for. Sometimes the best moves you make are the ones you don’t.
redseanation
Let’s see how well he pitches first. I’m not a huge fan of this move but let’s cut Theo n company some slack, at least until we see him in action. He is a vet and that is huge in late inning, pressure situations (usually).
calicub
Soriano played for Maddon during some of his best career years. I think it’s safe to say Epstein & Co. know exactly what they’re getting themselves into.
Te Stone
As a Nats fan, I can say there were no such reports of clubhouse issues. The. issues were all on the field. He didn’t miss many bats and definitely faded down the stretch….
The part that bugged me was the stupid untucking after completing a save, even when the save involved a couple of walks, followed by a tight rope walk and ending with someone having to make a miraculous play in the field to end the game…
Rays_Fan_Engima
Well, he wasn’t a bad clubhouse guy for the Rays, he worked really well with Maddon
DrRamblings
Good gamble. If he doesn’t work out..not much lost. If they can catch lightening in a bottle…++ move for them.
NickGarren
this move helps…he’ll be called up in a week
Christopher A. Otto
And there goes any inkling of a notion that the Phillies had leverage in talks with Chicago.
willi
If the guy was any Good , he wouldn’t have had to wait this long for a MLB Team to buy him up. Cubs are gambling that he does not lose the BIG Game for them that gets them in the playoffs for year ! Chump Money Deal, they have nothing to lose , but more games , and the Playoff chance.
Sleeper
Boras must have been demanding a major league deal for him, because this is a pretty good sized contract.
mychiefs58
if he struggled late, perhaps signing in june will mitigate that problem.
redseanation
Best option available. This way there is no trading away of future key pieces. Not like this guy cost the farm either. I still think Neil R. would of really helped lock down this bullpen. I wonder how Grimm would do in the closer role?
Cubbiejack
WOHOO!
dankane
Can’t hurt. I wonder if this ends the Papelbon to Chicago idea…
Bill Scripture
As a Cubs fan, let’s hope so.
Mikenmn
It makes some sense. He shows what he can do (whatever that is) in the minors. If he still has something left in the tank, he will be up quickly, and his prorated MLB salary (around $2.8-ish if he’s up?) If he’s into incentive land because of good performance, they will flip him. If not, the total spend isn’t that much.
jb226 2
Eh, why so quick to assume the Cubs sell? They’re the second Wild Card team in the NL right now and on pace to win about 88 games. If he’s doing well and up into incentive land, it probably means the team is too.
jb226 2
We certainly need the help in the bullpen, hopefully he can provide it. Would have liked to see a smaller guarantee though.
willi
And if he doesn’t ! Then the Cubbies have to pay thru the Nose for Chapman. Paps would have solved this problem for the Cubs a long time ago, same with Hamels they are losing games that they can be winning and insuring the Playoff Spot, over a couple of maybe prospects
Hi
Am I crazy in thinking a pen of Soriano, Rondon, Motte, Strop, Russell, Grimm, and Edwin Jackson in long relief to be pretty good? Also Ramirez should be back soon. And Id be surprised if CJ Edwards doesn’t eventually
Jose Roberto
CJ Edwards doesn’t exist anymore. He is now Carl Edwards Jr.
Rays_Fan_Engima
Not so much Edwin, but they do have upside
willywater88
I hope these players start realizing how Boras screws up a good amount of times. Boras probably said to Soriano, “don’t worry, we will let the market develop and I’ll get you Papelbon money”. They need to start a Yelp for sports agents.
Nick Eltzroth
I think that this could be a good sign for the Cubs because Soriano has been a closer and has been dominate for other teams. I think the Cubs could still use another starter because Wood and Wada are not getting in done as the fifth starter. If Soriano can return to form he had just a few seasons ago then the Cubs got a steal of a sign because he was lights out but that is definitely up in the air after the way he has been the past 12 months or so.
Rays_Fan_Engima
They usually report it with the headline ” To a Minor League Deal”
slider32
I think the Cubs still have a big move left with the Phillies before the deadline for either Papelbon or Hamels or both. The Phillies get Castro, Almora, Edwards, and Sczuzr.
willi
Exchange Schwarer for Almora and Baez for Sczurr, deal gets done!
slider32
No way, your getting the Cubs top 2 prospects and Castro.
willi
And you the Cubs are getting a Cheap All-Star Pitcher with a Ton of Playoff experience and an All-Star Closer that’s better than anything you have For Two Maybes and Question Mark in Castro.
Leftover_stew
I didn’t know RAJ was an MLBTR reader.
Jeff Jones
With the Phillies rumored willing to eat a good portion of Howards contract, get a third team involved (AL). Package McKinney, Castro, Vogelbach and mid level prospects.