Joakim Soria rumors: Tigers talking trade with Rangers
By Dan Zinski
The Detroit Tigers are going to need to bolster their bullpen if they want to make a run at another World Series in 2014. With this in mind, Detroit is reportedly involved in ongoing negotiations with the Texas Rangers over relief pitcher Joakim Soria (per Jon Morosi).
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The 30-year-old Soria has appeared in 32 games for Texas this year, logging 30 1/3 innings and posting a 2.67 ERA and 0.791 WHIP with 40 Ks against just 4 BBs. He has a 1-3 record and 16 saves.
Those are very impressive numbers for Soria this year, a great improvement over his mediocre 2013 campaign when he was coming off Tommy John surgery.
With Soria just now rounding into form, this would seemingly be the perfect time for a contender to pick him up. Texas isn’t going anywhere and a reliever of Soria’s effectiveness is a good solid chip for them.
Texas already traded away one short reliever in Jason Frasor and you have to believe the sell-off will only continue.
Detroit meanwhile is looking for someone, anyone to close down games with reliable consistency. Joe Nathan has been brutal this year and they’ve been forced to spread the ninth inning duties around to some other other guys they’d prefer to use in other roles.
Soria is probably the best option out there to lock down the closer spot in Detroit.
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