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Report: Tigers interested in reunion with Joakim Soria

By Bill Brink 8 years ago

The Tigers are interested in bringing back right-handed reliever Joakim Soria, according to a report in the Detroit News

Soria spent the final two months of the season with the Pirates, striking out 28 and walking eight in 262/3 innings. He had a 2.03 ERA and did not allow a home run after allowing eight in 41 innings in Detroit to begin 2015. Soria had a 2.53 ERA and 24 saves, 23 of them with the Tigers, in 2015.

A source familiar with the situation told the Post-Gazette that the Pirates have not yet contacted Soria, who is a free agent.

The report notes two interesting bits: Soria wants to close, and Soria wants a multi-year contract. Those things might not happen in Pittsburgh, where the Pirates have Mark Melancon (or Tony Watson if they trade Melancon). They have given multi-year deals to free-agent relievers before -- Jason Grilli got two years and $6.75 million -- but the back end of their bullpen is strong, with Melancon, Watson, Arquimedes Caminero and Jared Hughes.

The Pirates also might want to focus on acquiring another lefty, be it re-signing free agent Antonio Bastardo or someone else. Watson is their only one, with no real heir apparent. Bobby LaFromboise is the only other lefty reliever on the 40-man roster.