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Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Passan: Rafael Soriano agrees to two-year, $28M deal with Nationals

Source: Rafael Soriano agrees to two-year, $28M deal with Nationals. Deal contains vesting option for third year.

Rafael Soriano’s $14 million option will vest with 120 games finished over the next two seasons.

Soriano gets the same contract he had guaranteed for 2013 plus another year at the same rate, and a non-worthless vesting option.

Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: January 15, 2013 at 04:21 PM | 43 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: free agents, nationals, scott boras has mind powers, transactions

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1. boteman Posted: January 15, 2013 at 04:29 PM (#4347711)

All he has to do is not stink and the Nationals should be on the fearsome side of the ledger in 2013. Or that could just be my adrenaline talking.

2. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude Posted: January 15, 2013 at 04:29 PM (#4347712)

And the last real weakness left on the roster is officially fixed. Let's go get us a pennant and maybe even a championship this season boys!

3. jack the seal clubber (on the sidelines of life) Posted: January 15, 2013 at 04:31 PM (#4347715)

Should be a good move. Looking good for 2013.

4. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: January 15, 2013 at 04:31 PM (#4347716)

COUNT DA SAVES

5. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: January 15, 2013 at 04:32 PM (#4347717)

Since the Free Agent Prediction Contest thread is now closed, here's the current leaderboard. This signing changed pretty much nothing, as only Nate predicted the in-retrospect-sorta-obvious connection of Soriano and the Nats, and Nate despite that moment of genius only had accumulated three other points.

10 - Moses Taylor
10 - The Ghost
9 - chris h.
8 - AG#1F
8 - Walt Davis

6. Famous Original Joe C Posted: January 15, 2013 at 04:33 PM (#4347718)

Seems like a lot per annum, but only two years takes the edge off.

7. boteman Posted: January 15, 2013 at 04:40 PM (#4347726)

Contrary to my enthusiasm in #1 above, based on the heat maps linked in the Mariano thread earlier today Soriano positively lights up the heart of the strike zone. Let's hope he can still blow it by 'em or else locate his pitches in a way that fools the hitters otherwise.

8. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: January 15, 2013 at 04:42 PM (#4347728)

Even when Soriano was the Rays' closer, he only finished 56 games. Only two pitchers had 120 games finished between 2011-2012 (Valverde and Kimbrel). So I'll amend that to "mostly-worthless" vesting option. If Soriano is healthy and effective enough to finish 120 games in 2013-2014, he would probably be in position to get better than 1/14 on the free agent market. Odd thing for Boras to agree on.

9. bunyon Posted: January 15, 2013 at 04:54 PM (#4347737)

The Nats also announced that they're limiting him to 90 innings for the year.

10. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: January 15, 2013 at 05:07 PM (#4347752)

Is Jose Valverde washed up? I haven't read about any interest in him. I know his K's plummted, but you'd think someone would throw him a 1 year deal. Same with K-Rod.

11. fra paolo Posted: January 15, 2013 at 05:22 PM (#4347759)

Is Jose Valverde washed up?

Washed up and ready for baking, I'd say.

12. bookbook Posted: January 15, 2013 at 05:24 PM (#4347761)

This has to qualify as a rather heroic save by Boras? I was convinced a couple of days ago that Soriano was going to be left out in the cold.

13. Austin Posted: January 15, 2013 at 05:25 PM (#4347764)

Good grief. $14M/year for a reliever is awfully steep. Hopefully, when their core becomes expensive in a few years, the Nationals don't make a habit of inking contracts like this one.

14. Nasty Nate Posted: January 15, 2013 at 05:26 PM (#4347765)

Did the Nats leak this to Jeff Passan before Boras could get the word to Heyman?

15. bfan Posted: January 15, 2013 at 05:27 PM (#4347767)

This has to qualify as a rather heroic save by Boras? I was convinced a couple of days ago that Soriano was going to be left out in the cold.

If so, does Boras now owe the Nats a favor, to be cashed-in on, later? Both sides claim a cozy and healthy relationship.

16. McCoy Wilfong for Money Posted: January 15, 2013 at 05:32 PM (#4347770)

Good grief. $14M/year for a reliever is awfully steep. Hopefully, when their core becomes expensive in a few years, the Nationals don't make a habit of inking contracts like this one.

Kind of feels like the Nats are where the Phillies were in the early 2000's.

what should we spend our money on? We've got a good young core so I know. Let's spend a boat load of money on relievers!

17. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude Posted: January 15, 2013 at 05:33 PM (#4347772)

Good grief. $14M/year for a reliever is awfully steep. Hopefully, when their core becomes expensive in a few years, the Nationals don't make a habit of inking contracts like this one.

Man, and it seems like practically yesterday that Ted Lerner was getting mocked as being a cheap bastard. Oh right, that's because it was practically yesterday!

18. The Yankee Clapper Posted: January 15, 2013 at 05:36 PM (#4347777)

Seems like a bit of an overpay for performance that isn't all that likely to be better than Clippard & Storen, IMHO. The vesting option seems likely to increase Soriano's interest in being used in non-save situations, which could be beneficial in "important" non-save game-ending scenarios, but seems more likely to lead to situations in which the player prefers to be used in a way that is less optimal for the team. Still, bullpen depth is significantly enhanced, and the Nationals are more likely to win more games, which is more important than winning the battle of the spreadsheets.

19. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: January 15, 2013 at 05:39 PM (#4347781)

Washed up and ready for baking, I'd say.

I wouldn't be so sure. The K-rate tumbled, but FB velocity was only down 0.5 MPH, and still a respectable 93.3 MPH.

His struggles were also exclusively vs. Lefties. RHB hit 191/270/246, 239 wOBA. And his K-rate vs RHB was 21.2% vs. only 12.6% vs. LHB.

I think he could still be very useful as a non-closer you can shield from LHB.

20. Ivan Grushenko of Hong Kong Posted: January 15, 2013 at 05:40 PM (#4347785)

And the last real weakness left on the roster is officially fixed

I guess they could still look for a better lefty reliever than Duke and Purke

21. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude Posted: January 15, 2013 at 05:47 PM (#4347793)

Seems like a bit of an overpay for performance that isn't all that likely to be better than Clippard & Storen, IMHO.

I don't agree with the latter part of this at all. Clippard seriously needs a workload break; the team has spent three years now riding him into the ground like Mike Shanahan riding RGIII onto Dr. James Andrews' operating table. And I might be letting myself get overly biased by the playoff performance last season, but for some reason I just don't have full confidence in Storen as a closer yet. Until he shows me otherwise, I would much rather have Soriano closing out the next big playoff game as of right now.

22. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: January 15, 2013 at 06:06 PM (#4347802)

Seems like a bit of an overpay for performance that isn't all that likely to be better than Clippard & Storen, IMHO.

I think that's right but Soriano doesn't necessarily replace Clippard or Storen, he replaces whoever is the 6th/7th reliever and he should be a lot better than that guy. Given the number of low cost players they have in big roles (Desmond, Strasburg, Harper, Zimmermann, Gonzalez) an overpay for some high leverage innings isn't the worst way to spend their money. The contract is short in years so it doesn't screw them up when those guys start hitting big arb awards.

I don't agree with Joey that Soriano is a better option than Storen in a big spot but I think having both is a nice luxury. There is no rule that says you need a crummy reliever in the bullpen somewhere and adding Soriano makes it less likely that the Nats will have a crummy reliever getting meaningful innings.

23. McCoy Wilfong for Money Posted: January 15, 2013 at 06:09 PM (#4347803)

I would much rather have Soriano closing out the next big playoff game as of right now.

Then they are going to need to sign Soriano to another contract after this one. Thank you! I'll be here all night.

24. BourbonSamurai, vassal of the Harpsburg Empire Posted: January 15, 2013 at 06:24 PM (#4347820)

Seems like a good deal, and likely to be over before they have to shell out the real big cash for Harper and Strasburg. Does this mean Morse could stay as they now seem to have a crowded bullpen? Or if Morse goes for a lefty and a prospect, then HRod goes as well?

25. TVerik Posted: January 15, 2013 at 06:47 PM (#4347834)

I thought Soriano was a Yankee overpay two years ago. But I don't think he was.

26. boteman Posted: January 15, 2013 at 07:01 PM (#4347835)

Or if Morse goes for a lefty and a prospect, then HRod goes as well?

Rizzo was seen a short time ago shoving a shopping cart with HRod in it down Half Street towards the concrete ramp leading into the river.

27. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude Posted: January 15, 2013 at 07:03 PM (#4347837)

I think that's right but Soriano doesn't necessarily replace Clippard or Storen, he replaces whoever is the 6th/7th reliever

Wait, what?? You don't pay that kind of money to the 6th or 7th reliever. Not even the freaking Yankees do that.

28. Jim Furtado

Posted: January 15, 2013 at 07:14 PM (#4347842)

I've reopened the 2013 Free Agent Prediction Thread.

29. Dock Ellis on Acid

Posted: January 15, 2013 at 07:32 PM (#4347849)

I think that's right but Soriano doesn't necessarily replace Clippard or Storen, he replaces whoever is the 6th/7th reliever

Wait, what?? You don't pay that kind of money to the 6th or 7th reliever. Not even the freaking Yankees do that.

I think he means that Soriano knocks the 7th reliever off the team, not that he'd be the 7th option out of the bullpen.

30. BourbonSamurai, vassal of the Harpsburg Empire Posted: January 15, 2013 at 07:33 PM (#4347850)

26 yeah thats he first thing I thought. Oh good no more h rod

31. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: January 15, 2013 at 07:34 PM (#4347851)

So, per MLBTR, Jim Bowden is twitterporting that half the money in the deal is deferred to 2018-2025, which means the true AAV is a little under $12M.

Nats deal with Rafael Soriano is $7m in 2013, $7m in 2014 and the other $14m is deferred starting in 2018...the aav of deal is approx $11.8m

32. Brian

Posted: January 15, 2013 at 07:46 PM (#4347857)

Does the 120 games finished number include the post-season?

33. Esoteric throws a 'hard slider' Posted: January 15, 2013 at 08:11 PM (#4347863)

So, per MLBTR, Jim Bowden is twitterporting that half the money in the deal is deferred to 2018-2025, which means the true AAV is a little under $12M.

Nats deal with Rafael Soriano is $7m in 2013, $7m in 2014 and the other $14m is deferred starting in 2018...the aav of deal is approx $11.8m

If this is the case then well-done, Washington. That's a heck of a lot of money to defer.

34. Nasty Nate Posted: January 15, 2013 at 08:17 PM (#4347865)

I think even with that deferred money he still probably made the right choice in going to free agency, especially if he values the closer title a lot.

35. Lassus Posted: January 15, 2013 at 08:23 PM (#4347867)

I glimpsed this earlier while working and must have been the only one who spent at least an hour if not two thinking it was Alfonso.

36. Esoteric throws a 'hard slider' Posted: January 15, 2013 at 08:26 PM (#4347870)

I glimpsed this earlier while working and must have been the only one who spent at least an hour if not two thinking it was Alfonso.

I hear tell that he's available.

37. Ivan Grushenko of Hong Kong Posted: January 15, 2013 at 08:55 PM (#4347880)

I think he means that Soriano knocks the 7th reliever off the team, not that he'd be the 7th option out of the bullpen.

Sure but he decreases the leverage of Clippard, Storen and Stammen, making them less valuable. They'd have to think Soriano is a big upgrade on one or more of those guys, or else they're just improving the low leverage spot in the pen from say, Rodriguez to Stammen.

38. BourbonSamurai, vassal of the Harpsburg Empire Posted: January 15, 2013 at 08:59 PM (#4347885)

They'd have to think Soriano is a big upgrade on one or more of those guys, or else they're just improving the low leverage spot in the pen from say, Rodriguez to Stammen.

Yeah, that's a pretty big upgrade though. Perhaps not in WAR terms, but certainly in me screaming at the TV terms.

39. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude Posted: January 15, 2013 at 09:15 PM (#4347888)

I think he means that Soriano knocks the 7th reliever off the team, not that he'd be the 7th option out of the bullpen.

Oh OK, that does make sense. Nevertheless, he is the best reliever on the team (unless and until Storen proves differently), and he is going to get the bulk of the save opportunities, unless he totally fails.

40. Esoteric throws a 'hard slider' Posted: January 15, 2013 at 09:26 PM (#4347893)

Yeah, that's a pretty big upgrade though. Perhaps not in WAR terms, but certainly in me screaming at the TV terms.

It's a MASSIVE upgrade insofar as I actually have a fair amount of confidence in Craig Stammen and none whatsofuckingever in Henry Rodriguez.

Also: gotta wonder how Drew Storen is feeling right now. Probably lower than whaleshit.

41. Esoteric throws a 'hard slider' Posted: January 15, 2013 at 09:29 PM (#4347897)

I don't agree with the latter part of this at all. Clippard seriously needs a workload break; the team has spent three years now riding him into the ground like Mike Shanahan riding RGIII onto Dr. James Andrews' operating table.

This observation by Joey B., by the way, is one of the big unspoken subtexts of this acquisition. Clippard's workload is no joke, and it's been one of those issues lurking in the background of discussions about his performance for several years now. He flagged in a major way during the final months of the season (I'm pretty sure he actually tacked a whole run onto his ERA in September alone), and he could actually be a smart option for trading in a package with Morse at this point.

42. Walt Davis Posted: January 15, 2013 at 09:32 PM (#4347900)

8 - Walt Davis

I know, you're thinking "hey, that's kinda impressive." Alas, 5 of those points were for guessing Greinke to the Dodgers -- which would be genius except that I spent the next few weeks pointing out that Greinke to the Dodgers didn't make much sense because the Dodgers already had 19 starting pitchers.

I also got a point for the obvious Kuroda to the Yanks. LaRoche to the Nats and Napoli to the Red Sox weren't exactly brilliant insight.

Have Lohse or Bourn landed yet?

43. Mike Emeigh

Posted: January 15, 2013 at 11:06 PM (#4347928)

Clippard's workload is no joke, and it's been one of those issues lurking in the background of discussions about his performance for several years now. He flagged in a major way during the final months of the season (I'm pretty sure he actually tacked a whole run onto his ERA in September alone), and he could actually be a smart option for trading in a package with Morse at this point.

Clippard's ERA went from 2.73 to 3.72 over the last month, and he allowed runs in 8 of 14 outings. He was also much worse at home a year ago. Neither one of those has been a consistent pattern, though.

-- MWE

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Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Passan: Rafael Soriano agrees to two-year, $28M deal with Nationals

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