Nationals Sign Rafael Soriano

[Elite]

The Nationals agreed to sign free agent closer Rafael Soriano to a two-year, $28MM contract, Yahoo's Jeff Passan reports (Twitter links). The deal includes a 2015 option valued at $14MM that will vest if Soriano finishes 120 games over the course of the next two seasons. Agent Scott Boras represents Soriano.

Soriano posted a 2.26 ERA with 9.2 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 with 42 saves for the Yankees this past season. He ranked 17th on MLBTR’s list of top 50 free agents entering the offseason, and passed on two contracts that were available to him earlier in the offseason. He opted out of his existing contract with the Yankees then declined New York’s qualifying offer.

The decision to decline the Yankees’ qualifying offer linked Soriano to draft pick compensation. The Nationals will lose a draft pick for signing Soriano, and the Yankees will obtain a compensatory selection for their loss. The Nationals stand to lose the 29th overall selection, while the Yankees are now poised to gain the 32nd overall selection, Jim Callis of Baseball America notes (on Twitter). Throughout the process Boras insisted he’d find a good deal for his client.

Boras represents a number of Nationals players, as MLBTR's Agency Database shows. Bryce Harper, Danny Espinosa, Anthony Rendon, Stephen Strasburg and Jayson Werth are also clients of the Boras Corporation.

[background=transparent]MLBTR[/background]​

[background=transparent]Good signing for the Nats, they needed a closer. Thanks for the draft pick too guys.[/background]​

 

[NV]

You knew he wasn't returning after the great season he put together in Mo's absence. Great signing for the Nats.

 

[RipCity32]

Yeah that's a nice pickup for the Nats.

 

[elcheato]

Could have just made Clippard the closer and used the money for better use, instead of a guy with "closing experience", as if it matters.

 

[Elite]

Could have just made Clippard the closer and used the money for better use, instead of a guy with "closing experience", as if it matters.

Where else were they going to use the money? They have no holes. All 5 rotation spots filled by solid guys. They have a guy who would be starting for a lot of teams sitting on their bench in Michael Morse so there's nowhere to put that money in the lineup. Might as well upgrade your bullpen. Soriano is an upgrade over Clippard and I'd be much more comfortable handing the ball over to him in the 9th inning than I would Clippard if I'm Davey Johnson.

 

[elcheato]

Hold the money for next year instead of foolishly spending.

 

[Elite]

How is it foolishly spending to give a guy who increases your chances of winning the World Series this season, which is what the Nationals are playing for, $14M a year for two years, especially since it likely won't prevent them from spending next off-season know that Soriano would be coming off the books at the end of the season.

 

[elcheato]

They already have two pretty good righties in the pen, both capable of closing. This is just a short soghted move from front office folk thinking they need an experienced closer. But it's not shocking considering the Jayson Werth contract they gave out years ago. Find a cheaper alternative, hold the money. You don't have to spend it just because you have it.

Also there is an option for a 3rd year based on how many games he finishes.

 

[Elite]

You can say all you want about how closers are overrated and that any reliever can close because it's no different, but it simply isn't true. Too many setup men have failed in the closer role when given the shot and having an experienced closer that you know you can count on in the 9th inning and you're never worried about giving him the ball in any situation is something that can't be measured but makes a big difference.

 

[elcheato]

Every closer at some point was not a closer, so yes, it is true.

 

[Elite]

Just because some make the jump doesn't mean they all can.