ESPN: [Rafael] Soriano’s decision ‘going down to wire’

It’s been widely speculated that right-hander Rafael Soriano, who was offered salary arbitration by the Braves this week, will decline the offer and hit the open market as a free agent. But Soriano’s agent said Saturday that the pitcher is giving serious consideration to accepting arbitration and returning to Atlanta for a one-year deal.

“It’s going to go down to the wire,’’ said agent Peter Greenberg. “It’s definitely going to be a last-minute decision for us.’‘

While Braves manager Bobby Cox might welcome having Soriano back in the fold, the pitcher’s return would make for a pricey bullpen in Atlanta.
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The Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Orioles, Tigers, Red Sox and Astros are among the teams believed to have some interest in Soriano and/or Gonzalez on the open market. But Jose Valverde and Fernando Rodney are among the other closers available, and Greenberg said Soriano will take his time weighing his options.

“We know there’s a lot of interest in Rafael, but we still don’t have a sense yet whether [salary] arbitration or going on the free market is in his best interests,’’ Greenberg said.