Relief pitcher Rafael Soriano seeing New York as viable landing spot – MLB Update
With reliever Mariano Rivera returning to the pitching rotation, New York Yankees will have their ninth inning problems resolved. Rivera is an excellent closer and he has the ability to stay focused and calm in pressure situation. Perhaps, that is the reason
why he has thrived in New York.
However, Rivera suffered a serious injury in May last season, which provided an excellent chance to Rafael Soriano to cement his place on Yankees’ big league roster. Soriano did not disappoint his fans and the skipper Joe Girardi as he made 42 out 46 saves
in 2012.
Rivera is expected to be back before Spring Training and Soriano may find it tough to retain his place in the Yankees’ pitching rotation. However, his agent Scott Boras does not believe Rafael’s career with the Yankees is about to end.
According to a leading sports website, the Yankees made a one year $13.3 million qualifying offer to Soriano last week. The right handed pitcher has until Friday to accept or decline the offer.
If Soriano manages to seal a deal with the Yankees, he will also be eligible for $800,000 bonuses. Even if he does not accept the offer by Friday, Soriano will have the chance to negotiate a deal with the Yankees as a free agent.
“I can only say the Yankees told us they were interested in signing Soriano while expecting Rivera to come back,” Boras said yesterday.
“It was a correct decision two years ago to sign Soriano to provide depth, and Mariano was younger,” Boras said in an interview with nypost.com. “Soriano saved [42] games and Mariano is two years older. It was a wise move then and a wiser move now.”
There were also rumours that Rivera may head into retirement but the veteran pitcher dismissed those speculations when he told General Manager Brian Cashman on Friday he wants to return. Although Rivera and the Yankees are expected to sign a contract, agent
Boras is convinced the Yankees can use Soriano as a set up man, especially because Rivera is in twilight of his career.
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