Just hours after dealing the ace of their pitching staff, the Detroit Tigers are reportedly sending their closer out of town as well. Soria coming off the trade market leaves Cespedes as the last big name on the Tigers who hasn’t yet been traded, and is in his walk-year. He has a 2.85 ERA and has converted 23 of 26 save opportunities this season for the Tigers.
Advertisement
It’s remains unclear who the Tigers will receive in exchange for Soria, a soon-to-be free agent who is making $7 million. They might not get much in return for the right-hander because he would be a rental to whatever team he would be traded to.
Barring a late collapse, the Pirates should at least finish with one of the two wild-card spots in the National League, and adding another proven reliever would put Pittsburgh on even stronger footing in a one-game playoff.
Advertisement
The Pirates already have an All-Star closer in Mark Melancon, so Soria would presumably function in a set-up capacity. He did not start this season as the closer because the role was supposed to belong to Joe Nathan. Soria stepped in and did a decent job this season, which means contenders could use him in virtually any role out of the bullpen.
