The Yankees & Joakim Soria

Joakim Soria, RHP Kansas City Royals
2010 season: 0-2, 2.25, 27 saves, 40.0 IP, 47 K, .245 BAA

One of the New York Yankees' biggest needs before the trading deadline, on July 31, is acquiring bullpen help to improve a bullpen which has been under-performing to the level it should be at. Joba Chamberlain, David Robertson (though not recently), Chan Ho Park, and Chad Gaudin have underperformed this season, leading to an uneasy feeling when it comes time to bring in a reliever. The most reliable relief pitcher in the bullpen, and perhaps all of baseball, Mariano Rivera, is 40 years old and is the closing pitcher, meaning he can't pitch three or more innings. In essence, the struggles of Robertson and Chamberlain especially, have lead to a weak "Bridge To Rivera." One name that the Yankees have been recently linked to is that of Kansas City Royals' closer Joakim Soria.

Soria, 26, broke into the major leagues in 2007 after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft by the Royals after being left unprotected by the San Diego Padres. You can assume that since then the Padres have regretted that decision.

A 23 year-old Soria, in his first full year in 2007, pitched to a 2.48 ERA in 69.0 innings, managing 17 saves in 21 save opportunities with a 2-3 record. He struck out 75 in 69 innings pitched, resulting in a .187 batting average against. Soria began his career as a starting pitcher in San Diego's farm system, and has since used that experience in the bullpen. In 2008, Soria got even better, making the American League All-Star team for the first time, while posting a 2-3 record again, but this time with an eye-popping 1.60 ERA (!) in 67.1 innings, with 42 saves (!) out of 45 save opportunities and a .169 batting average against (!). However, the strikeout rate was at 66 strikeouts in 67.1 innings, and wasn't as mind boggling as the previous year. His performance rewarded him with a 3-year, $8.75 million dollar contract that would keep him under team control through 2014. Soria would rack up those strikeouts again though in 2009, striking out 69 in 53.0 innings to go along with a 3-1 record, 2.21 ERA and 30 saves in 33 opportunities.

Soria has continued his dominance in the 2010 season. He made the American League All-Star team for the second time, and has since posted a 2.25 ERA through 40.0 innings, going 0-2 with 27 saves in 29 opportunities. He's also struck out 47 in 40.0 innings (!). Ridiculous.

In his young career, "The Mexicutioner" has a lifetime 7-10 record, with a 2.12 ERA, 116 saves/128 save opportunities, and 257 K's in 229.1 innings pitched while also limiting batters to a career .200 batting average against him. Truly stellar numbers for such a young player who was left unprotected.

A dominant strikeout pitcher, Soria's repertoire consists of a dominant and well commanded curve ball, as well as a slider, change-up, and a nasty cutter, reportedly similar to Rivera's historical cutter. If you click the link, you'll see where Soria's pitches are targeted and what makes him such a great pitcher. He's got great command of all of his pitches.

Recently, we've heard the Yankees and Soria connected in trade rumors. The Yankees are looking to upgrade their bullpen, and acquiring Soria would do so dramatically. If acquired, Soria would immeaditly move into the set-up role for Mariano Rivera, and would eventually be Rivera's successor as closer. The Yankees could then unload dead weight (Gaudin, Park), resulting in a much improved bullpen. While not "officially" been made available, the Royals have said that they are willing to listen on anyone and will make a trade if the price is right.

Soria's age (26), team control (2014) and low salary ($3 million) have resulted in a high price tag (prospect wise) for the young relief pitcher. The Royals, in no way, need to trade Soria. However, if they get a price/package that they like, they will listen.

Yesterday, after the Dan Haren trade, SI's Jon Heyman reported that the Yankees "tried hard for Lee and Haren, and made a big proposal for Royals closer Joakim Soria, as well." The news comes as a pleasent surprise to Yankee fans, especially after losing out on Cliff Lee and Haren. The Royals, as you can imagine, are asking for the world in return for Soria. In a trade for Soria, the Yankees would probably have to give up one or two players from the caliber of Jesus Montero, Austin Romine, Manny Banuelos, Joba Chamberlain, Ivan Nova, Zach McAllister, and Hector Noesi.

Jayson Stark of ESPN reported today that the Yankees "dangled" Jesus Montero in trade talks for Soria. Montero, the #5 prospect in baseball, is the Yankees' top prospect. He was involved in the Cliff Lee trade but (thankfully) was not sent packing. However, the Royals were not interested in Montero and declined. That speaks this to me: the Yankees clearly just don't have what the Royals want.

It's possible that a trade could go down, but in all likelihood, it probably won't happen for the Yanks and Soria. Kansas City doesn't want to trade him, especially not to the Yankees, which is understandable, and shouldn't be forced to. Trust me, I want Soria in pinstripes as much as the next guy (one of my favorite pitchers), but if the Yankees were shot down after they offered Montero, then they should give up and stop wasting their time. They obviously don't match up with the Royals. We'll see where it all leads.

Among other news, the Yankees have contacted the Washington Nationals about a possible trade for slugging 1B/OF Adam Dunn, but have found the price "prohibitive." I've been a huge Dunn supporter and would love to see him in pinstripes. The Yankees are also interested in Chicago Cubs' starting pitcher Ted Lilly, Cleveland Indians' 3B Jhonny Peralta, Baltimore Orioles' 3B Ty Wigginton, and Florida Marlins' OF Cody Ross. It should all make for a fun trade deadline.