The $35 Million Dollar Setup Man

In what's been a relatively quiet offseason that is usually dominated by their vast payroll larger than most, the Yankees make their biggest move yet by signing free agent reliever Rafael Soriano to a 3 year, $35 Million dollar deal. After solidifying himself as one of the more dependable closers for the past two years in Atlanta and most recently Tampa Bay where he led the American League in saves last season with 45, Soriano will serve as a setup man for the future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera. Soriano, a 31 year old Dominican born converted outfielder, broke onto the big league scene in 2002 with the Seattle Mariners, where a number of injuries got the best of him. After being traded to the Braves before the start of the 2007 season, Soriano served as a part time closer alongside Mike Gonzalez.

Although Soriano will see a demotion moving from the closer role to the setup role in 2011, it'll be for a good cause, as Rivera chases the all-time saves record held by the recently retired Trevor Hoffman. Currently at 559 career saves, Mo could possibly surpass Hoffman's save mark of 601 this season to become the all-time saves leader. If Soriano has success in a Yankee uniform and decides to commit to all three years of his contract that includes options to opt out, he could very well succeed his fellow countryman as the Yankees next closer, a helm that's been held by Rivera since 1997. That's if the 41 year old Mo retires of coarse, after the 2012 season when his contract expires. Other than giving Rivera a cushion leading into the ninth inning, the addition of Soriano adds that much more depth to the bullpen, than the archrival Boston Red Sox who many including myself think has the better team offensively, after the additions of Crawford and Gonzalez.

Just how committed to the bullpen are the Yankees? For what it's worth, Brian Cashman and company has invested more money in the Yankees relief corps, than the Rays have invested in their entire roster. With left-handed reliever Pedro Feliciano as the other main addition to the New York bullpen, the only remaining concern lies within the starting rotation. While long time Yankee starter Andy Pettitte's future is still in question, the Bronx Bombers signed former 2005 AL Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Although fans of the pinstripes are hoping Colon can return to the form that saw two appearances in the mid summer classic, it's unlikely he'll have much of an effect given he hasn't pitched since 2009.