Yesterday, we heard news that Scott Boras, agent for free-agent reliever Rafael Soriano, approached the Yankees about a one year contract for the righty pitcher. Boras and Soriano were apparently, “flatly denied” per Bob Klapisch. Buster Olney hinted that the Yankees are choosing the draft pick/draft pool money over Soriano and his services. I like the draft and I like prospects as much as the next guy, but if I’m forced to choose between a draft pick in 2013 and another year of Rafael Soriano, I’m taking Soriano every time.
The Yankee bullpen is definitely well stocked for 2013. Mariano Rivera is coming back from injury, but if there’s one guy you’re going to have faith in, it’s him. David Robertson is more than capable as a set-up guy and with Boone Logan, Joba Chamberlain, and David Aardsma falling in line behind him, the Yankees should be fine in late game situations. However, that doesn’t mean they couldn’t be more fine in late game situations. I realize this sounds horribly spoiled and at least vaguely like that ‘give me everything’ Yankee fan I’ve tried to avoid being, but this choice seems rather simple. On a one year deal, Soriano may end up being expensive, but there isn’t a cheaper alternative with his level of talent.
The alternative in this case is essentially a lottery ticket. Yes, the pick would give the Yankees four picks in the first 106, which would be great, but chances are, that draft pick won’t become anything even close to what Rafael Soriano is and, obviously, that pick won’t come any where near helping the Yankees win a World Series in 2013.
If Rafael Soriano still wants a “long-term” (we’ll use the term loosely when dealing with a reliever), he can look elsewhere. But if he’s looking for a one ear dal, the Yankees need to be all ears. Soriano would give them yet another weapon in their already formidable bullpen and would help the toward its ultimate goal of a championship. Considering the ever-closing pace of Plan 189, winning the Fall Classic this year may take on even greater importance than it usually does for the Yankees.
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6 Responses to Soriano not a necessity, but a reunion should be welcomed
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TIQ IQ
I disagree.
Our pen is already a strength, and we have internal options close to the majors (Montgomery)
I’d rather have the draft pick. I’m not some prospect nut. I know only a small percent of these guys end up being useful players. I’d gladly give up the draft pick if we were adding a player that could make a big impact to our team but Soriano doesn’t improve the team significantly in my estimation.
Rivera, Robertson, Chamberlain, Aarsdma, Logan is one of the games better bullpens as is. Sure things can go wrong, but if that happens let’s cross that bridge when we get there. We have enough depth where I’m comfortable to let things play out.
While I agree in a vacuum, the new draft pick compensation system makes the draft pick more valuable than it has ever been before. The extra $1 MM+ that that adds to the Yankees’ draft pool can be spread out over multiple overslot picks that the team otherwise couldn’t even consider taking.
But… this one goes to 11.
In all seriousness, unless Cashman really doesn’t like him, or if the Steinbrenners are keeping a super tight budget, there is no reason not to bring him back on a 1 year deal for $12-13MM.
They’re blowing up the roster after this year anyway, why not buy some insurance with no long term downside.
Yeah, it would be nice to have more $$ for the draft, but that’s going to help them in the next 2 years, and the post-2014 budget constraints will be minimized.
By re-signing Soriano to a one-year deal, the Yankees have the best bullpen in baseball and one which deemphasizes the need for offense at C or DH if not both.
The Yanks instantly turn games into six inning affairs with Robertson for the seventh, Soriano for the eighth, and Rivera for the ninth.
The Yanks would have I feel/think three closers if they brought back Sori as D-Rob could close for most teams. They’d have three guys who have saved 30 or more games in a season (Mo, Sori, and Aardsma.)
It’s still about pitching no matter what all the “Who’s our catcher?” bemoaners think.
Re-sign Sori, Yankees.
That’s all well and good assuming Soriano repeats or comes close to his 2012 performance, but who’s to say he won’t stink it up again in a non-closing role? Are we going to count on another freak injury to Mariano so all of the after-the-fact geniuses can say “Aha! This is why we wanted a 13M setup man that stinks at setting up!”
I have no reason to assume Soriano wouldn’t do well.