Relief pitcher Rafael Soriano will decline the qualifying offer extended by the New York Yankees and pursue a multi-year deal with another organization, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
Rafael Soriano to reportedly decline Yankees qualifying offer
Yankees reliever Rafael Soriano is expected to look for an unprecedented deal.
Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE
Soriano exercised the opt-out clause for the final year of his contract with the Bronx Bombers, worth $35 million over three years. After the announcement of Mariano Rivera returning for the 2013 season, it is widely believed Soriano will not accept becoming a setup man, so he can pursue a more lucrative deal as a closer.
There have been reports stating that Soriano is going to look for a deal with an annual salary over $14 million, an unprecedented number for a reliever. Soriano is a client of agent Scott Boras, known for always pushing the market’s limits.
Soriano saved 42 games for the Yankees in 2012 with a 2.26 ERA. He allowed 17 runs in 67⅔ innings and had 69 strikeouts.
See More:
