Right-handed pitcher Joakim Soria is retiring, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, relaying word from Soria’s agent. The 37-year-old pitched for nine different teams over 14 MLB seasons.
Soria made his MLB debut for the Kansas City Royals back in 2007, throwing 69 innings with an ERA of 2.48 and notching 17 saves. He became a mainstay of the Royals’ bullpen through the 2011 campaign. In those five seasons, he pitched 315 1/3 innings with an ERA of 2.40 and racked up 160 saves. He was an All-Star twice, in 2008 and 2010.
That would prove to be the best stretch of Soria’s career, although he continued to be an effective reliever for another decade, pitching for the Rangers, Tigers and Pirates, returning to the Royals, and then stints with White Sox, Brewers and Athletics. In 2021, he started the season with the Diamondbacks and was later traded to the Blue Jays.
Over his entire career, he threw 763 innings with an ERA of 3.11, along with 831 strikeouts and 229 saves. MLBTR congratulates Soria on a fine career and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors.
The Mexicutioner!
He did not like that nickname… but it was a good one nevertheless.
It was a solid career Soria. Enjoy retirement!
Hope Stephen Strasburg does what Posey and Soria have done.
somewhat surprising, but hey, still a pretty good career.
Respect. Great career, great Royal.
He really stuck around for a long time and was almost always good, I love seeong durable relievers like that. Hope Petit and Clippard still have some gas left in their tanks.
Lol
14 year career. 229 Saves. Not bad for a rule 5 draft pick
A’s could’ve gotten soria in that rule 5 draft but they paid for the pick to take Ryan goleski from Indians lol. As a cheap right handed bat to replace Bobby kielty. 14 years later they still have same money issues
Bobby Kielty was a switch hitter. Rule V Draft has nothing to do with finances.
Sure it does. How often do the high payroll teams take a player in the rule V? Not very
The Red Sox did it last year. They took a pitcher from the Yankees. It really is a reflection of their farm system not their finances.
The Phillies do it a lot
They don’t, because the Rule 5 player has to stay on the roster. And, if you are talking about a high payroll team, it’s unlikely they have room because theoretically, they have most (if not all) of their holes filled.
So did Brett Cecil. I was surprised to not see it on here. Unless I missed it. After making off with a huge bag of cardinal money.
I went back a few a days and didn’t see anything on his retirement. Best of luck to Brett in his future endeavors.
Knew I learned of the news either here or on the MLB site and re-found it here: mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/brett-cecil-announces-r…
Folks, tell your sons to concentrate on relief pitching. This guy made $68 million for pitching 763 innings… $89,121 per inning…
Whoa! Is this Bryce $/inning territory? (I’m a bit behind on my big position player contracts, so please forgive the likely outdated point of reference.)
Unless he is injured, he would have received a major league offer. So it sounds like he was just ready to retire. Enjoy whatever is the next stage.
Soria threw a perfect game in the Mexican Winter League in December 2006, just prior to his MLB debut. Being a rule 5 pick, it made sense for KC to stash him in the pen to be able to carry him all year. Little did anyone know how quickly he’d dominate there. I do sometimes wonder how he might have done as a starter – he had 4 or 5 good pitches and knew how to use them. But it sure was a treat to watch him as a closer, especially during those years in KC. He had TJ surgery twice (2003 in the minors, and 2012), and came back to finish a 14 year career. Congrats and thank you, Mr Soria.
I’m glad that I finally got to see him as a Jay, even if it didn’t exactly yield great results when he got there. Definitely a pitcher that I admired for many years. Best of luck in retirement, it’s well earned.
Good luck to him
Very solid reliever for the majority of his career.
Future trivia question:
Who did the Tigers get in return when they traded Soria to the Pirates?
Answer: Jacoby Jones
He probably could have gotten a second shot to close for the Diamondbacks but it’s time to move on so good luck in your retirement.
The guy played in 773 games and never had a single plate appearance.
Welcome to being primarily a closer
He should unretire for a day just to get a plate appearance. Or maybe he can Moonlight Graham it
“…pitching for the Rangers, Tigers and Pirates, returning to the Royals, and then stints with White Sox, Brewers and Athletics. In 2021, he started the season with the Diamondbacks and was later traded to the Blue Jays.”
Dude is going to have a well decorated game room.
See you in Cooperstown.
Great pitcher but definitely not Hall of Fame worthy.
Have nothing but respect for Soria as a Royals fan. Great career and glad to see him go out on his terms.
Bummer. Was hoping the Sox would require him. Good tidings!