So, it looks like General Manager Brian Cashman might have been right all along that the New York Yankees should have taken the $35 million they spent on relief pitcher Rafael Soriano and kept it in their bank account. Soriano is headed to see Dr. James Andrews after a third MRI on his ailing right elbow. Visits to Andrews, the famed orthopedic surgeon, are almost always bad news for pitchers.
The Yankees are refusing to say what type of injury Soriano has. The visit to Andrews, though, speaks loudly enough.
Cashman, if you recall, was not in favor of the three-year, $35-million dollar deal the Yankees gave Soriano, who was a free agent after saving 45 games for Tampa Bay a season ago. The Daily News reported that this is now the sixth time in Soriano's career he has been on the disabled list with an elbow injury, and that he has twice had elbow surgery. Yet, the Yankees' ownership gave him the three-year deal and gave Soriano opt-out clauses after each season -- which he, of course, will not exercise if he is injured. He will just -- in Carl Pavano style -- collect his money for not pitching.
Paying big money to set-up relievers is always a risk. Between Soriano, Damaso Marte and Pedro Feliciano the Yankees now have $55 million worth of them on the disabled list. By far the biggest investment, and risk, was Soriano. And it does not appear to be paying off.
Now, the Yankees await word from Andrews. Maybe they already know what they are going to hear. And maybe next time they won't overrule their general manager when it comes to a baseball decision.