Trade Profiles: Joakim Soria

Picture Credit: CBS Sports

Next up on the trade profiles is another reliever, you should get used to that, in the form of Joakim Soria.  Soria is a bit of an unknown commodity among Pirate fans but he has been one of the most dominant relief pitchers in the league recently and the Rangers are selling.  So let's take a look at the stats.

Since being named the Rangers' closer this season, Soria has flat out dominated, according to Fangraphs.  He has 16 saves this season and that's not all.  He's got a monstrous 11.87 K/9 along with a 1.65 BB/9.  His WHIP is an impressive 0.79.  And the most impressive part about Soria is his ERA.  He has an ERA of 2.67.  That may not sound like a lot, especially when Huston Street's ERA is 1.09.  But let's look at that magical stat.  FIP.  Soria's FIP shows he's supposed to get even better.  His FIP shows that he should have an ERA around 0.90.  That's just insane.  That's Tony Watson dominant.  Could you imagine having two Tony Watson's at the back of the bullpen?  That would definitely make this bullpen more dominant.

Now the drawbacks to Soria.  There really aren't too many.  He's in the last year of a 2 year $8 million contract but also has an option for next season.  And assuming that the option is around the same price as the other two years, he will make a lot of money for a reliever on a small market team but not way too much like Street.  The prospect cost will be almost as high as Street's, but if everyone is busy pursuing Huston Street, Soria could be there for a lesser price because of a lower bidding war.  The Rangers I'm sure are also looking to compete next season.  So they could be looking for some major league ready talent.  Especially pitching.  Could the Pirates sell them on Casey Sadler and another young prospect?  I'm not sure.  So what is the real big drawback to bringing in Soria?  It's his injury past.  He hasn't pitched a full season since 2011.  He had Tommy John Surgery that kept him out all of 2012.  He also only pitched 30 innings for the Rangers last season.  So any trade for Soria would involve an injury risk.

Overall, I like the idea of bringing in Soria.  It would be a sneaky move by the Pirates but not really sneaky.  Those really sneaky moves come later in the trade profiles.  I think Soria is a better option than Street solely because he has less name recognition or the "established closer" title, even though he has 176 career saves.  He wouldn't have to close for the Pirates but he could if that's the route they want to take.  Unless you're positive he will injure himself again, I don't see why you wouldn't want this guy in the back of your bullpen.  So if I were Neal Huntington, I would go after this guy my hardest and hope the price isn't too high.  If it is, you just gotta move on to a different name.