After missing out on starting pitcher Cliff Lee and then finding out that Andy Pettitte wont start the season with the team, the New York Yankees snagged the next best thing: former Tampa Bay Rays closer Rafael Soriano.
According to Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman via Twitter, the Yankees agreed to a deal worth about three years and $35 million.
Heyman also states that (text is cleaned up for clarity): "Soriano will serve as Mariano Rivera's apprentice for two years with him as the heir apparent if all goes well."
Last month, New York signed Rivera to a two-year, $30-million contract.
For the Yankees, this isn't a bad move at all.
Yes, you maybe overpaying for a setup man but if New York's starting pitching isn't going to be elite in 2011, they might as well focus on shortening ball games. That is what Soriano can do for the Pinstripers.
For Soriano, it seems that the asking price was way too high considering that no contending team really needs a closer.
So, the next best option for Soriano was to sign the biggest deal with the best team.
At the start of the offseason, this may have not been what each team wanted but presently it's the best fit.