Rays finalize trade for Rafael Soriano; sign him to $7.25 million, 1-year deal

Rays obtain reliever Soriano from Braves

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays completed a trade with the Atlanta Braves on Friday, acquiring right-handed pitcher Rafael Soriano and agreeing to a $7.25 million, one-year contract with the reliever.

The deal sent right-hander Jesse Chavez to the Braves, who weren’t willing to give Soriano a long-term contract and recently signed free agent relievers Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito.

The Rays were searching for bullpen help after the lack of a proven closer contributed to the 2008 AL champions not failing to reach the playoffs. With several pitchers sharing the role, Tampa Bay wound up with 22 blown saves — eighth most in the major leagues.

Soriano had a career-best 27 saves in 31 opportunities for the Braves. In 75 2-3 innings, he struck out 102 while walking 27.

“We had our eyes on different guys, but I don’t think any that make us feel as confident about our bullpen heading into the season as we do now,” said Andrew Friedman, the Rays’ executive vice president of baseball operations.

The last thing Friedman expected when he headed to this week’s winter meetings was to get a reliever who’ll cost the budget-conscious Rays so much money. But when he learned Soriano had accepted an offer of arbitration from the Braves, Friedman huddled with team officials and received permission from principal owner Stuart Sternberg to pursue a deal.

“I chose salary arbitration because they had showed interest in keeping me. Then they said I was too expensive and that I wasn’t going to be their closer,” Soriano said from the Dominican Republic.

“Either way I think everything turned out the way it was supposed to and I’m happy to be part of Tampa Bay’s team now. … I had been speaking to my agent and preparing mentally for whatever may happen and wherever I may end up.”

Soriano, who turns 30 on Dec. 19, ranked second among major league relievers in strikeouts and held opponents to a .194 batting average last season — 12th lowest in the National League. In eight seasons with the Braves and Seattle Mariners, he’s 8-18 with a 2.92 ERA and 43 saves.

“Last week, at this time, Stu said there wouldn’t be a $7 million closer. Today, there’s a $7 million closer. Markets change,” Rays president Matt Silverman said.

“This isn’t about a modest improvement in a place where we had depth. It’s a real need. It’s a luxury that other teams can afford. It’s something, while we can’t necessarily afford it all the time, we’re going to enjoy having someone like him.”

Barring any moves that trim salary, the Rays could go to spring training with a payroll approaching $70 million. Less than two weeks ago, Friedman said he wanted to shore up the bullpen but doubted the club would enter next season with an established closer.

The Rays felt Soriano was their shot to bolster their chances of narrowing the gap between themselves and the big-spending New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in the AL East.

Even if it means possible payroll reductions down the road.

“We made this move with the mind that if the season started tomorrow that we feel really good about this team and feel like — at least on paper, in the middle of December — it’s the best team we’ve had,” Friedman said.

“Obviously it doesn’t guarantee anything, especially in this division, but we feel really good about our bullpen in terms of it being a strength.”

The Braves receive Chavez, who came to the Rays last month in a deal involving second baseman Akinori Iwamura. The 26-year-old reliever was 1-4 with a 4.01 ERA in a major league rookie-high 73 appearances for the Pirates last season.