The Washington Nationals have agreed on a two-year deal with relief pitcher Rafael Soriano. Jeff Pasan reports that there is a vesting option for a third year.
While the Nationals figured to add an arm to their bullpen it would have been hard to envision them adding a player the caliber of Soriano. Over the course of the deal the Nationals will play Sorinao $28 million.
Soriano figures to assume the duties of closer for the Nationals. Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard will move to the roles of set-up men.
Clippard saved 32 games for the Nationals last season while Storen saved 43 the year before.
Last season as a member of the Yankees, Soriano saved 42 games and had a 2.26 ERA. He had been brought in to be a setup man for the Yankees but assumed the role of closer following an injury to Mariano Rivera. With Rivera expected to be ready to go for Spring Training the Yankees simply offered Soriano a qualifying offer, which he declined, in order to assure themselves of a draft pick.
