Soriano opts out; plus smaller roster moves
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Oct 31, 2012 
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As expected, Rafeal Soriano has opted out of his contract, choosing to cash in on his strong season as Mariano Rivera’s ninth-inning replacement. The Yankees can still offer Soriano a qualifying contract, which would net them draft pick compensation if and when Soriano signs elsewhere.
Two other moves…
• Third baseman Casey McGehee has elected free agency after being outrighted off the 40-man roster.
• Rule 5 pick Brad Meyers has been returned to the Washington Nationals. He spent all season on the Yankees 60-day disabled list.
Now, hopefully, no one will suggest McGehee for next year. Their has to be someone better on the bottom of the barrel.
Of course, the Yankees will make a QO to Soriano and Swisher. Just as certain, they will decline them. However, if they did not, it is for one year and doesn’t affect 2014. Every move will be about 2014 so that makes Haren a possibility, perhaps.
Lucky break for the Yankees last off season Soriano’s contract looked like a mistake and unmovable, now they got value out of him and moving forward are rid of the contract and will get a draft pick in return, Bye bye Soriano and welcome back Mo.
That said if I was in Cashman’s shoes I am not positive I would make a QO to Soriano.
Could have been just a ploy by Boras.
By opting out, getting the buy out $$$ and then accepting a QO, Soriano would actually get 800K more next year.
Looking around the league I am not sure how many 4 year big money offers Soriano can get right now.
Maybe Cashman needs to be told big and hairy only works if they can actually hit. McGehee and Pearce were two pointless pickups only done becasue they were cheap. It waas obvious to all , including the teams that released them, they were no good.
Is it possible the Yankees will add someone this off season that has not been reassigned, released or otherwise told he is washed up?
Haren’s fastball velocity declined last year to 88.5 from over 90. That would be a big concern for health issues.
I’m still waiting for a Definitive interpretation of the AAV of a traded player\ contract. Knowing this, would help to better evaluate possible trade scenarios.
I’ve seen several comments over the last couple of weeks suggesting that Soriano will get his buy-out money if he opts out of his contract. Can someone explain to me why that would be the case? My assumption was that the buy-out is there in case the Yankees declined his 14 million dollar option for 2013, not if Sori opts out of his contract. I mean, if Sori opts out of his contract before the yankees are contractually bound to give him the buy-out, then why would he get paid? Maybe I’m missing something obvious. Thanks!
Yankees need to find a closer now.
Either Mo is the man for the job, or the Yankees pay Soriano asking price or
option #3-Trade for or sign a free agent closer.
Not a good situation to be in today
Nobody seems to know for sure….but everyone seems to think the AAV for traded players is still based on the overall contract and not the amount owed from the time of the trade…….
i could see the dodgers sign him
Soriano’s contract via Cots:
3 years/$35M (2011-13)
signed by NY Yankees as a free agent 1/14/11
11:$10M, 12:$11M, 13:$14M
Soriano may opt out and take $1.5M buyout after either 2011 or 2012 seasons
Nobody seems to know for sure….but everyone seems to think the AAV for traded players is still based on the overall contract and not the amount owed from the time of the trade…….
****************************************************************************
The AAV follows the player wherever he goes. Back loaded deals like Buehrle’s and Upton’s are more attractive to the acquiring team(s) while front loaded deals, like A-Rod’s would be less attractive to the acquiring team IF it was close to paying luxury taxes because soon his AAV will exceed his actual salary.
Soriano has a bizarre contract that pays HIM for opting out. Strange but true.
kd,
The Dodgers just signed League to be their closer. I understand with their money they could sign ten closers, but I think they are out of that market.
I like JF’s idea of signing Fujikoma(sp?). He is correct that Japanese closers do well here. Their often unusual deliveries work well when batters only see them one time. Of course, I admit I have never seen him pitch, but his stats are very impressive.-
Hello all,
I’ve been without power for two days now. I live in East Windsor, New Jersey. My cell phone service is spotty so I can’t even log on to Lohud. I’m currently at work, checking email and catching up on some posts.
Congrats to Cano and Tex. Tex’s 1 error in 1055 chances is just an absurd record. I just wished his bat matched his glove.
Blake, I agree with your assessment regarding who we should hold on to asfaras prospects are concerned. I definitely don’t want Mason Williams going anywhere.
Not surprised that Sori opted out. I dont expect him to be back so the yankees can allocate his money to other resources.
Just as Jerkface said, Chase Headley got more expensive with his GG award. Will be interesting to see what the yankees do.
And Lastly, I have a gut feeling that Yankees might go after Hamilton. Just my gut.
Thanks, AAA!
austin,
you’re probably right. but it seems like they’re collecting big names.
benny,
hope your power comes on soon.
my guess is that the yankees take a run at a bat this winter. maybe they even bring montero back. i know, but a guy can dream right.
it’s the sf giants parade two blocks from my office. i’m silently suffering as all of my coworkers are at the parade and i have stuff to do.
Why isn’t anybody certain about the Yankees signing Soriano? We need a reliever that we can trust and he showed us that last season. The Yankees should make him a real offer of at least 2 years with a 3rd as an option.
If Tex’s bat matches his glove, he would be hitting better than .990. I’ll take it though.
NO to the Swish QO due to General Principles
———
WTF does this mean?
Why on earth would Cleveland pick up Ubaldo Jimenez’ option? $ 5.75 M after a 9-17, 5.40 season ?!!?
That said, I’d have an interest in Roberto Hernandez nee Fausto Carmona on a make-good deal now that he’s been set free. CC was his idol so maybe he could get that guy pitching like he’s done in past years. The guy had a 3.77 ERA in 2010.
The going rate for a Closer is Not $13.3 Mill. Soriano needs a wake up call. NO OFFER. And the genius that negotiated giving Soriano buy-out $$$, even if Soriano elects to opt-out, should be canned. The Yanks play nickel-and-dime with Jeet, and then turn around and negotiate the equivalent of an Obama Trade Pact with Soriano. DUMB
86w183 October 31st, 2012 at 2:50 pm
I like that idea. Sounds like a good risk/reward idea, somewhat like Colon/Garcia were.
Hopefully, the Yanks re-sign Kuroda & Andy P too.
NICE!!!
See Ya Sori, Hopefully your untucked shirt doesn’t get stuck in the door on the way out.
That money can definitely be better used elsewhere. I hope a QO doesn’t backfire and Sori accepts. Give me the pick.
LGY October 31st, 2012 at 2:48 pm
NO to the Swish QO due to General Principles
———
WTF does this mean?
—-
It means he doesn’t make logical arguments.
RayVT —–
Our paths haven’t crossed much lately. Hope you are well.
Your Hokies have a strong finish in ‘em?
- LGY -
You must of missed my previous missive. My General Princples were chronicled there, and will soon be available at Walden Books. Maybe a book signing can be arranged.
LGY October 31st, 2012 at 2:48 pm
I think he meant “general principals” to not do a qualifying offer. In other words, because the Yanks suffered so much with Swish in the post-season the Yanks should shoot themselves in the other foot & just dump Swish.
Not sound reasoning!
Donny’s eyes say no QO for Swisher….you can’t argue with that
Donny
All I know is Soriano made me forget about how terrible
Kyle Farnsworth was when he wore a Yankee uniform, LOL!!
To be serious for a moment, the money Soriano is asking for is a lot of $$$
Boras is looking for a big contract for Sori so he (Boras) makes more money off him. He’s not running a gambit to get him an extra 800k.
And when is the last time you saw Boras try to get a big contract for a week and then give up? Extremely little chance of that happening. Making the QO is as safe as it gets.
86w183 October 31st, 2012 at 2:57 pm
LOL! I hope they do, but the Hokies have been hitting like the Yankees of the post-season. Hope all is well with you too!
@DKnobler: $60 mill for 4 years for Soriano? Yankees, Boras differ on what’s been said so far, says @JonHeymanCBS. http://t.co/7311r2D2
That’s crazy even in Dodger dollars
Jack
Unless a team comes calling right away, Soriano might not have a team to play
with when ST 2013 begins.
- WTF -
On 2nd thought, you might be right. Anything that erases the memory of Farns, might well be worth the coin.
- WTP -
Hard to imagine Swisher or Soriano accepting a QO. If either one/both do accept, its a reasonable one-year deal and very tradeable.
On the other hand I don’t think I’d go that high for Kuroda. Try to get him signed for $ 10-12 in the next couple of days…. and push Pettitte and Rivera to make decisions, too.
Hey guys,
Hopefully Sori gets that 4 year deal elsewhere. And we get the draft pick and the extra mil for the drafting pool money.
Not QO to Swisher is beyond arguing. There is no point to question such a sound strategy.
Has anyone heard from our NY contingent aside from Benny? By the way, good to see that you are safe and sound.
Now you guys have Really done it. My publisher says “Donny’s General Principle’s” has gone viral. He’s got Rush on line 4 wanting to book me for an hour.
“On the other hand I don’t think I’d go that high for Kuroda. Try to get him signed for $ 10-12 in the next couple of days…. and push Pettitte and Rivera to make decisions, too.”
I wouldn’t mess around with Kuroda….. They need him back and a lot of teams would love to have him…..offering him the qualifying money gives him a fair one year deal and it also applies a little disincentive for other teams to sign him as they’d have to give up a draft pick for him
Kuroda earned his money. Pay the man.
Blake —- I agree on Kuroda if he wont take $ 10-12 before the deadline. My point was maybe save a few $$$ by getting deal done right away.
Just knowing the SF Giants fans are being treated to a parade today
makes me want to vomit!
It’s an absolute nobrainer to offer Soriano a QO.
It’s the only option. If he accepts, so be it.
Blake is right on Kuroda
but ideally they just sign him asap
You know Cashman doesn’t want to offer Soriano the QO. Could see the butting of heads once again.
Soriano has a lot of leverage because he played so well in 2012.
That being said, I think once again he’s asking for far too much $$ and not many teams
can afford that price.
I think a potential fit for Soriano is the Nationals.
One of the key reasons they lost the NLDS was due to an inexperienced closer on the big stage.
WAS has an owner that is definitely not opposed to spending his way to prominence.
I view Kuroda as the #1 priority for NYY, and getting a quick decision from Andy as the #2.
If both those guys come back, then you can move one of Hughes, Nova or Phelps as part of a package for a serious stick.
Priority #3 is getting a quick decision from Mo regarding his intentions.
Move on from there.
It’s an absolute nobrainer to offer Soriano a QO.
It’s the only option. If he accepts, so be it….
Yup, it also means you got a squared away closer or set up guy for 2013, not the worst thing in the world for NYY to solidify.
If you ask me, I think Mo needs a lot of time to make his decision.
#1-The health of his knee is going to dictate more than anything if he returns to the mound
in 2013.
#2-Mo is a future HOF and has won 5 WS rings to date. That alone gives him the luxury to take his time with a decision about returning or retiring.
please, please, please let him walk. save this money for people who appear in more than 70-80 innings.
“I view Kuroda as the #1 priority for NYY, and getting a quick decision from Andy as the #2.”
Totally agree….they need decisions one way or another on those two so they can move on to the offense…..they really win know what options they have until th rotation is set….. You lock up Andy and Kuroda early then you know what you have and what you can do
WTP; realistically speaking with respect to Mo I agree, you give him as much time as he needs, he is a legend and he has earned that right and the knee may be at a place where he flat out is unsure right now. But it doesn’t hurt to ask him if he can commit one way or the other by a certain date (prior to winter meetings).
It’s amazing how suddenly little faith there is in Robertson, after so much praise of him here. He’s a great 8th inning guy, but the 9th, oh no!
@JonathanMayoB3: AFL Report: @Astros and a @Yankees Star http://t.co/Snvi2erZ
The Yankees’ Slade Heathcott hasn’t had the easiest path as a professional. No. 5 on the New York’s Top 20, the former first-rounder has had some issues on and off the field. Injuries have really hampered him (2 shoulder surgeries) and his career high in at-bats is just 351. So he’s really trying to make up for some lost time with Scottsdale this fall. He certainly did that on Tuesday, going 4-for-5 with a double, two triples and five RBIs. He’s hitting .275/.408/.400 over 11 AFL games (40 ABs). He’s really enjoyed hitting from the leadoff spot, with a .471 average in four games. And yes, he was in that slot on Tuesday
Yankee21-
I hear what you are saying and my fear is that Mo will commit to playing because he wants to be there for the team, even if he is unsure his knee is 100%.
Since the closer spot is so important, I think there is no harm in allowing him all the time he needs to rehab and make a sound decision.
Let’s face it, there is a good chance Mo’s knee will not allow him to return for another season.
That could be a reality and a scary sight if you ask me.
Very unfair to rush a “legend” who is rehabbing from a bad knee injury.
Here is the Yankees top 20 referenced in that Mayo report: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/
Heyman says that Randy Levine asked Scott Boras what it would take to keep Soriano in pinstripes, but the agent said it was best for him to explore free agency first.
–
Levine
Please keep Levine away from this
If Heathcott keeps hitting in the fall league then he’s ready for AA
86w183 October 31st, 2012 at 2:21 pm
“The AAV follows the player wherever he goes. Back loaded deals like Buehrle’s and Upton’s are more attractive to the acquiring team(s) while front loaded deals, like A-Rod’s would be less attractive to the acquiring team IF it was close to paying luxury taxes because soon his AAV will exceed his actual salary.”
This is true to an extent for big payroll teams — Dodgers, Yanks, Philly, Angels, etc. Most teams will not sniff $189 so it does not matter much to them. These teams are more likely concerned with the actual salary that they will need to pay a player, so a star like A-Rod becomes slightly more attractive because of his tapered salary.
A team that has had a historically low payroll, such as the Marlins, would not worry about AAV. In fact, Loria has been criticized for not spending enough until last year. So it the Marlins traded for their hometown hero A-Rod, it would appear that the team had a higher payroll (as measured by AAV) than it actually did. That could be valuable PR for Loria.
But any deal with A-Rod will require a significant salary contribution unless the Yanks take on contracts that are dogs.
Betances has fallen all the way to #17 on the Yanks prospect list according to mlb.com….. if he doesn’t do anything next year it seems like he’d have lost his prospect status at the age of 25…. really disappointing.
Need to put Betances in the pen and see where that goes
1. QO to Swisher and Soriano – need those picks.
2. Sign Kuroda to a 1 year deal with a player option on the 2nd year.
3a. Convince Andy to return for 1 year.
3b. Convince Mo to return for 1 year.
4. Target Soria. I’ll take my chances with a bullpen consisting of Mo, Robertson, Soria, Joba, Logan + 2.
@Ken_Rosenthal: Source: #Royals acquire Ervin Santana from #Angels. Return not yet known.
There it is….surely not Gordon