Word has passed that another closer, Heath Bell, can be crossed off the lists of those teams that were interested. He signed with the Marlins. Slowly but surely, the top available closers are getting new homes and the remaining options are getting less and less intriguing. With Jonathan Papelbon, Joe Nathan, Jonathan Broxton and now Bell signing that leaves Francisco Rodriguez, Ryan Madson, Francisco Cordero, Matt Capps, Brad Lidge, Jon Rauch, and Frank Francisco as the remaining free agent closers. Juan Carlos Oviedo is a non tender candidate and Andrew Bailey and Huston Street may be available in a trade.
Joakim Soria is a proven closer that should be available. The Royals closer will probably not return to that role with the signing of Jonathan Broxton and the emergence of Aaron Crow at the back of the bullpen. He has amassed 160 saves over his five big league seasons and is just 27. He is currently on the first of three consecutive option years making $6 million this season, with options for $8 million in 2013 and $8.75 million in 2014. He can be bought out for each season for just $750,000.
With Soria being under contract, the Mets, or any other team for that matter, would have to make a trade. I would think that Soria, coming off of a down year (4.03 ERA, just 28 saves- temporarily lost the closers job to Aaron Crow) could be more easily had than Andrew Bailey or even Huston Street. And a move would benefit Soria, who I feel will flourish in a new city. In my opinion, he has to be an option for the Mets. I think he will be brought up a lot during the winter meetings.
Joakim Soria is a proven closer that should be available. The Royals closer will probably not return to that role with the signing of Jonathan Broxton and the emergence of Aaron Crow at the back of the bullpen. He has amassed 160 saves over his five big league seasons and is just 27. He is currently on the first of three consecutive option years making $6 million this season, with options for $8 million in 2013 and $8.75 million in 2014. He can be bought out for each season for just $750,000.
With Soria being under contract, the Mets, or any other team for that matter, would have to make a trade. I would think that Soria, coming off of a down year (4.03 ERA, just 28 saves- temporarily lost the closers job to Aaron Crow) could be more easily had than Andrew Bailey or even Huston Street. And a move would benefit Soria, who I feel will flourish in a new city. In my opinion, he has to be an option for the Mets. I think he will be brought up a lot during the winter meetings.
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