Rafael Soriano is Officially a Ray

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 11, 2009 12:46 PM EST Comment 75 comments

From the Rays press release:

Soriano, who turns 30 on December 19, established career highs last season in saves (27 in 31 opportunities), innings pitched (75.2), appearances (77) and strikeouts (102) while issuing only 27 walks. Among all major league relief pitchers in 2009, he ranked second in strikeouts (behind Jonathan Broxton of the Los Angeles Dodgers), third with 12.13 strikeouts per nine innings, 10th in appearances and first with a .138 (20-for-145) opponents' batting average against right-handed hitters. Overall, Soriano held opponents to a .194 (53-for-273) batting average (12th lowest in the National League) and .153 (17-for-111) average with runners on base (fourth lowest in the majors).

Regardless of the money, Soriano is going to be fun to watch.

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Comments

If that $7 mil bothers you so much

resort to your Brdford/Percy analogy for solace

by sternfan1 on Dec 11, 2009 12:55 PM EST reply actions

Actually, I thought about it in comparison to Burrell earlier.

I’m at peace with it. I like Soriano too much to let a dollar figure below his market value affect my enjoyment levels.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 11, 2009 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

I don't need to tell you this but think of him as a very good pitcher instead of a "closer" who "saves" games

by sternfan1 on Dec 11, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions

I would hope.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 11, 2009 1:01 PM EST up reply actions

If a lefty is leading off the 9th...

Leave Howell in if he pitched the 8th, or bring in Choate. And let Soriano close it out.

by td32 on Dec 11, 2009 1:12 PM EST reply actions

Or just let Soriano pitch the whole inning

Unless it’s like an extremely bad match up like Sonny vs Ben Fransisco

by Transplanted on Dec 11, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

Sori is > Howell v. LHB

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 11, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah....

I see the past 3 season he has around a .680 OPS against lefties. Not bad at all. In a 1 run game, I would probably prefer the lefty/lefty matchup.

by td32 on Dec 11, 2009 1:21 PM EST up reply actions

I like how we basically cloned J.P. and returned him to his natural skin color with some added velocity.

This is going to be fun to watch.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 11, 2009 1:24 PM EST up reply actions

But he so 'spensive!!!

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Dec 11, 2009 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

He is, relatively speaking.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 11, 2009 1:29 PM EST up reply actions

How dare you try to put a price on freedom

Why don’t you go cut and run with scissors.

I'm a writer.

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Dec 11, 2009 1:30 PM EST up reply actions

God damn it, boy.

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Dec 11, 2009 1:30 PM EST up reply actions

I said I'm fine with it.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 11, 2009 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

It's just weird.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 11, 2009 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

I went through this with Burrell too, but he seemed to be a more reliable asset.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 11, 2009 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

He broke my heart.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 11, 2009 1:32 PM EST up reply actions

Remorseful Jew Anderson

by Samwise Sutty on Dec 11, 2009 1:33 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe you should just take a break from baseball for a while. Turn the site over to me and lil Gamgee.

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Dec 11, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

I've got a delightful pitch f/x chart covering the ring being thrown into the flames of Mount Doom.

by Samwise Sutty on Dec 11, 2009 1:40 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs

Please do this

by SRQman on Dec 11, 2009 1:42 PM EST up reply actions

And as agreed, here is your rec.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Dec 11, 2009 5:29 PM EST up reply actions

Nah--his mindset is that of pitching the 9th--let him at it

by sternfan1 on Dec 11, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

JP was doing fine in the 9th before exhaustion set in.

I think its a tremendous advantage for us to have JP to step in when Sori’s been ridden…HARD…a few days in a row.

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Dec 11, 2009 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

He went almost 2 months during the middle of the season where he didnt give up a run in any of his appearances besides one performance. He had a sub 2 ERA most of the season. He had never relieved prior to 2008, pitched a ton of high leverage innings, had a short offseason, pitched in the WBC, and finally hit the wall.

It drives me insane when people bitch about his season.

by td32 on Dec 11, 2009 1:23 PM EST up reply actions

yes

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Dec 11, 2009 1:25 PM EST up reply actions

Especially with a mid 80s FB

That’s almost unheard of nowadays

Imagine JP is a less power era, wow

by Transplanted on Dec 11, 2009 1:26 PM EST up reply actions

People disappointed with Howell look at bloody irrelevant things like blown saves.

They seem to ignore the random distribution of runs.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 11, 2009 1:30 PM EST up reply actions

OMG0RZ HE'S GOT 7BS

DFA HIM NOW

by Transplanted on Dec 11, 2009 1:33 PM EST up reply actions

it's cause he's a soft tosser, don't ya know

by Samwise Sutty on Dec 11, 2009 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

LETS TRADE FOR ZUMAYA

HE THROWS 100+

OR CONVERT A SP INTO A RELIEVER

OR TRADE A STARTER

OR MAKE A BAD DECISION

by Transplanted on Dec 11, 2009 1:35 PM EST up reply actions

You gotta throw hard to be hard, sir.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 11, 2009 1:35 PM EST up reply actions

I had a woman clock me at 92

and then handed me a ticket

by sternfan1 on Dec 11, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

Girl, please.

Let the $$$ thing go.

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Dec 11, 2009 1:14 PM EST reply actions

Paging Eminence Front

IN
GAME, OVER

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Dec 11, 2009 1:17 PM EST reply actions

RING RING BANANA PHONE

by Transplanted on Dec 11, 2009 1:20 PM EST up reply actions

lolwut

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Dec 11, 2009 1:23 PM EST up reply actions

Seriously? How old are you?

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Dec 11, 2009 1:27 PM EST up reply actions

I know who Raffi is.

The lolwut was why paging me?

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Dec 11, 2009 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

Because you make good with the funny images.

Mira Sorvino...Paul Walker...T-Pain...Fall 2010...HEADSTONE MAFIA, A LOVE STORY OF REVENGE. "5/5 stars!!!" - DRB User "Andy Hellicksonstine"

by PlayOnWords on Dec 11, 2009 1:38 PM EST up reply actions

Ah.

I will in a bit. About to pwn another final.

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Dec 11, 2009 2:12 PM EST up reply actions

Don't need quarters, don't need to dimes to call a friend of mine!

by Samwise Sutty on Dec 11, 2009 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

BADGER BADGER BADGER

Sign lady must die.

by EminenceFront on Dec 11, 2009 1:32 PM EST up reply actions

He better be worth the $7M.

Me babe, steppin' out
Into the night, into the light

by Orlando Rays on Dec 11, 2009 1:21 PM EST reply actions

He can't be any worse than what we trotted out there last year

by Transplanted on Dec 11, 2009 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

Soriano is officially making 7.25M

I like it, if some of those losers out there can make 10M, this works for me

by Transplanted on Dec 11, 2009 1:32 PM EST reply actions

Also has a no-trade clause until 6/15

www.draysbay.com, www.beyondtheboxscore.com, Twitter @trancel

by Tommy Rancel on Dec 11, 2009 3:02 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Wow, Putz gets $3M.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 11, 2009 1:37 PM EST reply actions

It's the White Sox

Their motto is, we make bad contracts the cool thing

by Transplanted on Dec 11, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions

with the chance to earn another 3M in incentives

Vikings 4 the superbowl

by RaysOfHope on Dec 11, 2009 2:56 PM EST up reply actions

Are gonna have a topic/discussion post

On the Non-tender deadline/period?

by Transplanted on Dec 11, 2009 4:25 PM EST reply actions

Wonder if we will go after non tender players

Or how does that work

by raysrule44 on Dec 11, 2009 4:34 PM EST up reply actions

Joe Nelson was a NT last year

we could kick the tires I suppose

by Transplanted on Dec 11, 2009 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

Lance Cormier was also a NT. Once a player in NT

He becomes a FA and able to talk to any team. I’m sure the Rays will be interested in several players even if it’s just to bring in camp bodies or fill Durham’s roster. Plus there’s always the chance you strike gold on someone else’s trash like Pena, Hinske, Cormier.

www.draysbay.com, www.beyondtheboxscore.com, Twitter @trancel

by Tommy Rancel on Dec 11, 2009 4:58 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

As for a thread, we'll probably open up a non-tender thread sometime tonight/tomorrow am

So we can toss names around and then have a separate one in case Navi/Gross get NT’d as well.

www.draysbay.com, www.beyondtheboxscore.com, Twitter @trancel

by Tommy Rancel on Dec 11, 2009 5:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Navi will be tendered and traded imo

Gross will be NT’d

by sternfan1 on Dec 11, 2009 6:21 PM EST up reply actions

could someone explain what non-tender is

by LKMoreland on Dec 11, 2009 5:16 PM EST reply actions

When a player who is eligible for arbitration is not offered it by the team holding his rights.

If a team has not offered arbitration by the arbitration deadline, he becomes a non-tendered free agent. When a team signs a non-tendered FA, they also get his remaining arbitration eligibility.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Dec 11, 2009 5:36 PM EST up reply actions

Some "experts" think this is the year where the non-tender market is flooded

Guess we’ll see.

www.draysbay.com, www.beyondtheboxscore.com, Twitter @trancel

by Tommy Rancel on Dec 11, 2009 5:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I originally thought it would be flooded

But now I’m not so sure.

It’s very conflicting given how some deals look like cost cutters & others are plain bad spending.

by Transplanted on Dec 11, 2009 6:07 PM EST up reply actions

Some "experts" think this is the year where the non-tender market is flooded

Guess we’ll see.

www.draysbay.com, www.beyondtheboxscore.com, Twitter @trancel

by Tommy Rancel on Dec 11, 2009 6:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I really need to stop reading the Heater

comment made there—I don’t get it. They wouldn’t go $8mil. for Wagner, but they give this clown $7.25. WHY!!!!!!

by sternfan1 on Dec 11, 2009 5:54 PM EST reply actions

Amazing how they go and get the #2 "closer" on the market

And it’s still not good enough lol

by Transplanted on Dec 11, 2009 6:03 PM EST up reply actions

But that's why it's the Heater

and we generally ignore it

by Transplanted on Dec 11, 2009 6:03 PM EST up reply actions

Good.

Now, let’s soidify a catcher. I know, easier said then done.

Blah!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Dec 11, 2009 7:06 PM EST reply actions

Would you want to bring in someone like Wang?

by raysrule44 on Dec 11, 2009 7:13 PM EST reply actions

Only if he's cheap

2009 Rays Baseball: Welp.....we'll try again in 2010
2009 FSU Football: Thanks for the memories, Bobby Bowden

by JMB on Dec 11, 2009 8:23 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Yay! Good offseason moves!

Now if we can just not get Milton Bradley and find a remotely decent catcher, we’ll be doing okay

2009 Rays Baseball: Welp.....we'll try again in 2010
2009 FSU Football: Thanks for the memories, Bobby Bowden

by JMB on Dec 11, 2009 8:22 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I wonder why things are so quiet on the Bradley front

Going into the winter meetings, the Cubs were adamant about having a trade done. Then we hear about a “mystery team” that likely was bogus and now nothing. All day yesterday and today, I havent heard a peep about Bradley at all. Just the typical, the Cubs will make the deal with Tampa Bay if they decide to do so on their terms. I really didnt think it would take this long and it just shows they havent really found a match with anyone, especially with Millwood heading to Baltimore, essentially eliminating them from the options available. I suppose Seattle and Kansas City could still be options, but havent heard anything recently. Most likely, they are working to find a team that would take Burrell, especially if the Mets definately arent interested.

by BossmanJunior333 on Dec 11, 2009 8:46 PM EST reply actions

From what I know, Seattle's not interested.

by R.J. Anderson on Dec 11, 2009 9:29 PM EST up reply actions

More then likely, they hate the Rays offer. The Rays have this situation by the balls and unless the Cubs can find another team, there's not much they can do about it.

I could see this trade not happening until as late as spring training.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Dec 12, 2009 1:57 PM EST up reply actions

Once again I say the Rays are spending 2011 dollars to win in 2010

Bye Bye Crawford, Pena, Burrell, Wheeler (maybe) and Soriano after 2010, but please bring us a WS Title before you go:

Topkin says it here:

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/tampa-bay-rays-payroll-stretch-in-2010-may-cause-recoil-in-future-seasons/1058261

by rickrays on Dec 12, 2009 2:02 AM EST reply actions

Contracts

They’ll resign CC. 2011 OF= CC in LF DJ in CF BJ in RF
Zobrist 1B
Rodriguez 2B
Longoria 3B
Bartlett or Brignac SS
Shoppach C
Joyce DH

by Blue or CONKZILLA on Dec 12, 2009 4:38 AM EST up reply actions

CC is gone in 2011.

The Rays can’t afford CC and Andrew has hinted that many times already. Jennings is your new LF for 2011 with the Rays getting the picks for Crawford’s departure. If you can’t figure that out from the signing of Soriano and the quotes from the RFO than you are not being honest with yourself.

by rickrays on Dec 12, 2009 9:58 AM EST reply actions

Even if true, so what?

The Rays have been building the system so that they can (and should) turn over stars to keep the team competitive for a while. That is what the Kazmir trade represented, for example.

There is likely to be a fallow period, and there are no guarantees that the returns will always pan out. (Of course, the same can be said for any decisions, whether on big name free agents or on aging stars that are kept.) Nor can we know that the opportunities to get significant returns on players the Rays decide to deal or let go will always be as impressive as a Soriano or (hopefully) a Sean Rodriguez and company. But even if there are star player losses for 2011, it does not mean the Rays will not remain serious contenders, and maybe even find themselves with a better team than in 2010.

by bobr on Dec 12, 2009 10:31 AM EST up reply actions