Former closer Rafael Soriano has begun the 2015 season a free agent awaiting an opportunity to get back on the field, and despite a putrid end to the 2014 season, his agent Scott Boras said the calls for his services are heating up.
Agent Scott Boras said calls on free-agent reliever Rafael Soriano are increasing..
— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) April 23, 2015
It may be early, but there are a few teams that can clearly use a veteran, hard-throwing reliever to shore up their bullpen. Here are the top three landing spots.
Detroit Tigers
The bullpen has been Detroit's Achilles heel for several seasons in a row, and they will now be without Opening Day closer Joe Nathan for the rest of the season after he was found to have a torn UCL during a minor league rehab appearance.
Right now Joakim Soria is handling the ninth-inning duties for them and he's done fine work. Soria has five saves and has yet to blow a chance yet. He's posted a 1.35 ERA and 0.30 WHIP in eight appearances, striking out four and walking none.
The problem is that there's little help behind him. Joba Chamberlain isn't scaring anyone these days, and Al Alburquerque and Bruce Rondon aren't very frightening at this point either. Soriano could immediately play a big setup role for the Tigers, and fill in if Soria struggles or gets hurt.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Jays entered 2015 with left-hander Brett Cecil as their nominal closer, and have already turned the role over to rookie Miguel Castro. The young fireballer has three saves and one blown save, but Toronto's offseason indicated a desire to compete now. Why not bring in a veteran like Soriano while Castro learns the big leagues in lower leverage situations?
If he continues to pitch well there's no reason he can't be put into the ninth full-time, but even if Soriano is brought on in a setup role he will be their only dominant right-hander that's not closing. Toronto's starting rotation is among the worst in the league, so they'll be leaning on the bullpen and it has to get stronger.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Kenley Jansen is the Dodgers' closer when he returns, but until then Joel Peralta's really all they've got. Chris Hatcher hasn't capitalized on the opportunity he has right now, and Soriano provides the type of veteran depth that is all over this roster.
Also don't forget that Scott Boras clients get paid. If Soriano is holding out for big bucks, no team is more generous than the dodgers.
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